Greece: The dawn of Europeans

[citis]

Can't resist pointing this out: *invade, not evade.

Thanx a lot. Corection done

"The women and children fled to the countryside."
You let them free?! Where are you gonna get your concubines?!?!?

Well, you're right. However, now that we control Egypt that's not a real problem.

Spoiler :

concubines

I vote in favour of Apollon.

Voting is now closed.

Results:
Apollon: 2
Artemis: 0
Agamemnon: 4 let the war begin...

 

[Sanguivorant]

Anatolia, here we come!

Spoiler :

 

[citis]

Inspired by Menelaos' success in Egypt the greek people wanted to expand even further. The whole greek world was in a really ecstatic. Children were tought in school the achievements of their fathers and wanted to fight. Only a few of people thought that, despite the astonishing success, we should limit our aggressiveness in the near future. Agamemnon, brother of Menelaos was sought to be the undouptable successor.


The eastern paradox

Spoiler :

Agamemnon sent some troops in Sena to learn about this minor kingdom in eastern Mediterranean. "In the name of Zeus!!!" The view surrprised his men. Modern archaeologist found their descriptions:

"Down there, between the hills and the sea there was a great city, Jerusalem. The organisation of this city would embarass even the best of our city states. They had built great walls and an army slightly smaller than ours, and the whole army fortified just one city! Even now that we have advanced metal weapons, the fortified archers are unbeatable. People from the area said that the arrows would cover the sky. Even the countryside was improced in ways unknown to us. It isn't the first time we see unknown country improvements, but it is the first time to sea man-made rivers, while the source of water was miles far away."

Spoiler :

Meanwhile the army needed some rest. Although all men were alive, the Egyptian wars were really exhausting. The horsemen were almost dead. Agamemnon postpone his plan in order to heal the army in the just conquered city.

Spoiler :

Agamemnon decided to invade Jerusalem. "We may not be able to take the city yet, but we can pass through the kingdom without fear. Jews cannot beat us in their countryside." As he invaded deeper and deeper in the east he discovered the great civilizations the prophecies talked about: Babylon. Hammurabi was cautious against Agamemnon. His men told him to declare war straight away. "Just a minute, we don't even know where this empire streches/ I'll collect some information at first and then we will attack, else we will lose the advantage of surprise."

Spoiler :

Menelaos thanked gods for his successes and decided to rename the city on honour of Zeus. The new name was "Diospolis Megale" (the "large city of Zeus"). In some years he managed to establish control over all Egypt from his palace. The most important he managed to gain control of the most valuable resource of copper. From now on greek city states can train hoplites. "We were lucky in Egypt, but for the future losses, we now have all the appropriate requirements." Many new metalurgists spawn across the greek cities.

Spoiler :

The greek troops healed and entered in the kingdom of Judea. Soon they managed to send some spies inside the Babylonian empire. What folows tricked the greeks so much that it mained in greek oral tradition as the "eastern paradox". While kingdom of Judeah had a too large army and high walls, the capital of the Babylonian empire had only two wariors as defenders.

Spoiler :

The first reaction of his soldiers was "Are you kidding me???" Agamemnon thought about it with his generals. He concluded that Babylonians just didn't need a more advanced army at this time: "This city is in the middle of the desert and between two rivers. The only threat can be the south or the north. Babylonians might control the north and the south should be vacant. Maybe more desert, a sea, I don't know for sure."

Many generals wanted to start the war straightforward. Agamemnon knew that patience and good timing are the main keys of success. "We should wait. Even if Babylonian army is what we just know, then our troops still aren't enough to conquer them. We will concentrate them and we will attack all together. We should exploit our advantage as good as possible."

Hulungani sacrifice

Spoiler :

Hammurambi seemed to understand Agamemnon's plans, he trained some archers to defend his capital. There was a lot of tension, Hammurabi wrote many letters to Agamemnon to leave out Jerusalem, and that Judah had the right to define its own destiny. Agamemnon tried to cover the military preparation, despite how obvious they were. At the right time he invaded the babylonian desert towards babylon. He choosed to walk in the western-north side of Babylon.

Spoiler :

After some months of walking into the dessert, Agamemnon finally reached Babylon. Agamemnon knew that losing a quarter of his army was highly possible. He decided to send the hulungani. It was the strongest, thus the most possible to survive. Soldiers were still influenced by the Egyptian wars. They believed that they were invicible. However, the fear of greek mothers, sisters and wives became true. Hulungani corps were completely destroyed. They fought with great courage and honour, their fight will be remembered for the next generations to come.

Spoiler :

The moral of the army fall. It was the first time that a greek troop died in the battlefield. Agamemnon conforted them:
"It is impossible to gain what it takes blood to defend without losses. The earth gives us life, it makes our blood to flow inside our bodies and makes us live. She has the right to take it whenever she wants. It is a minor scrifice we must do. Gods are with us, but they are also fair among different people. We destroyed a city and killed many people in the past. We, as all other people on the earth, must give this bloody sacrifice to earth reminding us, that we all are just humans fighting for our destiny and not immortal gods."

The conquest of Babylon

Spoiler :

Agamemnon managed to partially restore the moral of his army. The sacrifice of Hulungani weakened Babylonian defences decisively. The remaining army managed to conquer it with ease. Hammurambi itself was caught and jept in captivity, while his empire was collapsing. The rest of the empire sunk into chaos.

Spoiler :

Agamemnon managed to become what he wanted to: the king of Mesopotamia. However, the greek people weren't so enthusiastic like his brother. The hulungani sacrifice marked them. Moreover, the more peaceful shouts started to hear. Many merchants saw that this war not only costed in blood, but it is also dangerous for the greek econmy. After some years scholars found new forms of society organisation and building mechanics. Rapid changes were about to happen...

 

[citis]

Spoiler :

Agamemnon acomplished his own mission too. Like his brother he decided to become the gorvernor of Mesopotamia. There were several problems he should solve. Prophecies had it that the rest of Babylonian empire and Jerusalem would join a great and aggressive eastern empire, so he should act. Moreover, his land had no road access to mainland Greece.

Far from Mesopotamia, a great economic crisis is about to happen. The economic situation was fine for the time being, but economic reforms should be taken soon, else the whole greek world might sunk into the first economical crisis in global and greek history .

Now that the competition was over, many saw that there was no need to continue building the Oracle, if necessary, an opinion that was difficult to express freely in public.

And last but not least, greek people started to believe that they are in a way superior to other people on the earth. They invented a new form of labour, slavary. They would enslave indigenous people in Africa and Asia to work instead of them.

Only one thing is sure. This is a vital turning point in greek history and it need a leader capable of solving these perplexing problems, so that the greek world can continue to prosper.

Apollon:

Spoiler :

Apollon the god of sun, light, truth, poetry and prophecy to name few. Apollon was born by Leto with his twin sister Artemis. While his sister focused on hunting Apollon focused on poetry, he was leader of Muses and he always had a lyre with him. The oracle was a temple in favour of him.

After Athens and Ares he would also like to bless the Greeks. He is very interested to his temple and would like to make sure it will be built at any cost. He wants to continue building the oracle, while he is uninterested in other matters.

Policy:
*Build the oracle
*Focus in libraries.

Artemis:

Spoiler :

Artemis, sister of Apollon the godess of hunt, wilderness and virginity. She is believed to protect forests and hills, while she may play a role in wars.

Artemis would like to bless the Greeks like her brother. She believes she can help the greek people with the about to happen economic crisis, greek people just need to ask for help.

Policy:
*Build the temple of Artemis

Solon:

Spoiler :

Athenian lawmaker. He was asked by Athenians to create a fair code system to replace the exageratively harsh laws of Drakontas. He was one of the seven sages.

Solon wanted to develop commerce output in the greek city states. Cities should work on commerce at any cost. Working the Egyptian gold was out of question.

Policy:
*Work only sea tiles.
*Work gold tile (Diospolis Megale)

Pythagoras:

Spoiler :

Samian mathematician Pythagoras was the founder of the Pythagorian school. A scientific-mathematical, but also philosophical and religious school, Pythagorians discovered abstract ideas, like normal polyhedrons, the music system of notes, the golden ratio and the irrational (unquotable in ancient greek) numbers.

Pythagoras wants to go to take the greek civilisation in the next step. Trying to be rational he may anger much of people.

Policy:
*Destroy Mesopotamian country and release it back to its indigenous people.
*Discover aesthetics before completing the oracle.
*Build libraries.

Xenophontas:

Spoiler :

Xenophone, a greek military officer of the Persian empire. He led his people through the Persian and Babylonian empire changing sides in order to make the best for his soldiers.

Xenophon is a war like person. He thinks that pillaging in west and east is the only solution to Greece, until a better solution is found.

Policy:
*Pillage the rest of Mesopotamian empire
*Discover iron working.
*Complete the oracle right after that.

Voting is open.

Note: Due to external obligations I will update the story only once tomorrow.

 

[Sanguivorant]

Solon's policies are really weird. Who works only water tiles?

Pythagoras, please. He appears to be logical.

 

[Royal Tenenbaum]

Pythagoras

 

[mrrandomplayer]

Xenophontas.

 

[SargontheGreat2]

Apollon

 

[Manuss]

Apollon
Science!

 

[citis]

The voting is closed

I vote for Xenophontas.

@SargontheGreat2:
I'm sorry, the vote is invalid. I count only bolden votes. Thanx however.

Results:
*Apollon: 1
*Artemis: 0
*Solon: 0
*Pythagoras: 2
*Xenophontas: 2

I'll give my second vote to Pythagoras.

 

[cudfather]

Since there's a tie and I didn't make it in time to vote, I vote Xenophontas

 

[citis]

Spoiler :

The Greek world came into chaos. The commerce output decreased to about at 50%. Moreover, the Greek merchants started to bring slaves to markets causing many morality debeits in greek city states and severous disorder in Egypt and Mesopotamia, the main resources of slaves.

Spoiler :

Spoiler :

Slavary increased the leisure time of Greeks dramaticaly, gifting more spare time. Without a monarch on our head, we were free to expend this surplus time as we wanted to. Most of us organised parties with concubines. However, others just wandered around the world. Questions like "why there is day and night?", "can you slice a slice infinitely?", "what does an ideal lyre looks like".

Moreover, Egyptians and Mesopotamians, although they were conquered by us they had superior technological knowledge in many fields. This inspired some greek scholars to study them further. Some of them founded schools of thought. Later historians would say that these are the first philosophers in european history, the "prosocratic philosophers" or the so called "natural philosophers".

The most influencial philosopher at this era proved to be Pythagoras from Samos. Thales from Miletus tried to discover Mathematics, while Solon from Athens tried to discover Code of Laws, Pythagoras tried to discover and define the science of pleasure. He called this new field "Aesthetics".

Greek people liked this idea and more and more people followed him. He gained large influence among the people and political leadership.

Spoiler :

The main problem in the greek world was the population. It was difficult to understand if a greek residence is just a village or an administrative center. Athens abandoned the construction of the oracle to invest in the fishing economy. Apollon was outraged of that, but the discovery of Aesthetics instead of Iron working kept him calm.

Spoiler :

Meanwhile in Mesopotamia

Spoiler :

Mesopotamian trade routes and communications were too difficult. In fact the region was de facto indepedent.

Surrounded by hostile neighbours, and facing the angry indigenous population, the political situation was highly connected to the military. Soldiers elected Xenophontas as their leader, and he promised to do the best for them.

Mainland Greece was about to stop supproting the military network, because it was too expensive. This triggered a great unrest in the military. Mainland Greece feared a betrayal. The situation came close to create a Neobabylonian empire even stronger than before seeking with bloody revange. Pythagoras made a deal with Xenophontas. Mainland Greece will support his regime in the area, but in return he should collect the taxes to afford it.

Xenophontas accepted. He enslaved the whole population of Babylon and attacked and razed the rest of Mesopotamia. Agamemnon being the honoury king of the region died in a really old age pointing Xenophontas as his successor. Xenophontas had already the real power in the region and now he had both the real and the nominal.

Spoiler :

The collapse of Babylonian empire freed many people of the area. Phoenicians, famous salors of eastern mediterrenian, were among them. They finally declared their indepedence and got ready to become rich trough commerce. Xenophontas saw an opportunity to connect Mesopotamia with the rest trade network. Instead of destroying them like surrounding cities he opened borders with them and send workers to build roads. Pythagoras suprised by this peaceful move set a thanksgivving letter to Xenophontas aproving his according to him wise decision.

Spoiler :

After many years of razing and pillaging the greek army seeked to go back home. The last night Xenophontas said "Ares is really pleased with us. We extended his name far and wide. Our enemies are frightened with us. We the hoplites is the terror in the known world. Now like all heroes it is time to go back to our homes." Xenophontas left Babylon at its fate, and the army went to Sur.

Conquest of Jerusalem

Ares came to the dream of Xenophontas:
"You are my pride. The greek achievements will mark the history for the next generations to come in the world. You will make a whole continent proud for these achiements. However, when a job is to be done it must be done. You managed to conquer Egypt, and Mesopotamia, why are you afraid of this small kingdom of Judeah?"

"They are too strong my lord."

"Go to conquer them. You are made of steal, do you think you will manage to stay calm back in mainland? Heroes calm down only when they are dead. How can you forget the pleasure of the sword? You and yourmen are a destructive power. Go and conquer Jerusalem at any cost. Who dares wins, you know that from Egypt where your grandfathers and fathers fought, and from Mesopotamia where you and your fothers fought."

Meanwhile Pythagoras learned more about this religious kingdom. According to the prophecies, the priesthood there was strong and influencial, so influencial that made Jerusalem the biggest merchant center in the whole known world. Without losing time he sent a message to Xenophontas to conquer Jerusalem at any cost. He trained a hoplite in Diospolis and moved to the south of the kingdom to help.

Xenophontas saw the marks of his destiny. He was thinking: "Destroying and razing Mesopotamia was easy. Our enemies were frightened, underequipped and without defences. Anyone could do it. Raze the whole of Mesopotamia and noone looks an eye. Conquer Jerusalem and everyone loses his mind!"

So Xenophontas decided to do what even the honorable generals of the past didn't dare to do. He would conquer Jerusalem!

Spoiler :

Xenophontas knew that the first three attacking hoplites would almost commit suicided. He just wanted to remain with his hald hoplites at the end of the day. There were also three Mesopotamisn soldiers who joined the Greeks from Babylon. Xenophontas sent the strongest unit to the battle and saw the fight. The result was astonishing! The strongest troop of the greek army managed to kill the strongest archer unit of Jerusalem. Not only Xenophontas, but the whole army couldn't believe in their eyes! Xenophontas shouted: "Gods are with us! Ares: help to win this war and I will sacrifice to you a herd of sheeps!"

Ares heard the shouts of Xenophontas and helped he illuminated him. "Just be rational, don't attack again, go and kill the warriors in the hills. It is a better position."

Xenophontas did as Ares said. The next years he sent two troops to attack, he knew that with four hoplite regiments against two archers and warriors the victory was almost sure. Luckily all four hoplites survived the battle. The only losses was the strongest warrior, bust as in the past it was a sacrifice he must do.

Xenophontas decided to become the governor of Jerusalem. He accomplished his mission. That event marked the end in the tension between the army and the mainland of Greece. Pythagoras saw that the end of the economic crisis. Greek cities start to develop, he ordered the construction of libraries, and the commercial and religious center of Jerusalem marked the end of the dark ages. Greek world can now be optimistic about the future.

 

[citis]

While the greek world was developing Odysseus decided to travel. Ionians were famous to be great travellers, and Odysseus was sought to be the greatest. His stories some believable some not are quite interesting.

Spoiler :

In Hyperboreia he found a minor tribe in the cape. Inspired by his stories they decided to join his journey. "Well, not exactly what I was looking for..." though Odysseus.

Spoiler :

Odysseus decided to visit the homeland of his long ancestors. When he went to Urals he saw hostile nomads. "That's why we win so epically against Egypt and Mesopotamia, I'm sure these are made from Ares himself." Using the blessings of Ares he managed to survive their attacks. However, he was unable to enter the village.

Spoiler :

The forest in the north was so deep. Odysseus took the rank of woodsman, so he decided to explore it further. He founded a peacefull village. The villagers were astonished by his experience and decided to give him even more. "Gods give me what I already have... I hope I find something more usefull soon."

Spoiler :

His wishes became true soon. After going east for some hundreds of miles he decided to go south. There he discovered a whole new civilisation. The best part is they are willing to open the borders to him. Ironically their capital was defending by only one warrior. "They are too lucky to be far away from my homeland, else they might be past right now" thought Odysseus. The chinese told him there was a great civilisation in the south, so he moved towards there.

Spoiler :

He wasn't disappointed. India was so polite to Odysseus as the Chinese. Odysseus decided to try go home through India, as it will probably be a more secure route.

 

[citis]

Since there's a tie and I didn't make it in time to vote, I vote Xenophontas

Well it seems not to matter in fact. Luckily enough Pythagoras went really good.

Spoiler :

Greece is already a historical power that will be memorised by the next generations to come. It is known to all the ancient powers of its era. However, we are still in the ancient era, it is time to level up.

Artemis:

Spoiler :

Artemis, sister of Apollon the godess of hunt, wilderness and virginity. She is believed to protect forests and hills, while she may play a role in wars.

Artemis would like to bless the Greeks like Ares. He wants to build her temple and the Orcale as she believes that the time of them has finally come.

Policy:
*Build the Oracle after Aesthetics.
*Build the temple of Artemis.

Pythagoras:

Spoiler :

Samian mathematician Pythagoras was the founder of the Pythagorian school. A scientific-mathematical, but also philosophical and religious school, Pythagorians discovered abstract ideas, like normal polyhedrons, the music system of notes, the golden ratio and the irrational (unquotable in ancient greek) numbers.

Pythagoras wants to take the greek civilisation in the next step. He believes that the greek world is right now fine and wants to continue his successful policy.

Policy:
*Discover aesthetics before completing the oracle.
*Build libraries.

Xenophontas:

Spoiler :

Xenophone, a greek military officer of the Persian empire. He led his people through the Persian and Babylonian empire changing sides in order to make the best for his soldiers.

Xenophon is a war like person. Now that Greeks managed to get Jerusalem he believes that the greek economy can stand two more conquests.

Policy:
*Recapture Babylon
*Declare war on Phoenicians.
*Discover iron working if it will cost less than Aesthetics and then finish the oracle.

Jason:

Spoiler :

Jason, the son of Aeson leader of the argonauts in their quest to take the Golden Fleece.

Jason is a traveller like Odysseus. He wants to expand greek economy far and wide.

Policy:
*Establish trade network with India and China at any cost (recapture Babylon)
*Build the temple of Artemis or the great Lighthouse.
*Focus on commerce.

Ptolemy I Soter:

Spoiler :

Ptolemy, general of Alexander in the Alexandrian wars. He later became one of the Diadochoi and concluded in governing Egypt. He made his capital the most significant commercial and intellectual center in classical world.

Ptolemy leader of Egypt wants to build wonders across the greek world.

Policy:
*Complete the Oracle after Aesthetics.
*Build the Great Lighthouse.
*Build wonders (Istar gate or temple of Artemis)

Voting is open.

Notes:
*Bolden your votes.
*Due to external obligations I will update the story only once per day from now on and I won't be able to update in Thursday and Friday. I'm really sorry about that guys .

 

[SargontheGreat2]

Jason

 

[TheSunIsDark]

Pythagoras

 

[Manuss]

Pythagoras
I'm pro-science!

 

[Royal Tenenbaum]

Ptolemy I Soter

I encourage you guys to relook at what his nation needs and what Ptolemy will provide. You will find that he is the best option!

 

[cudfather]

Pythagoras

 

[mrrandomplayer]

Ptolemy I Soter