the youngest of the senonirix ’ s sons, dubiepos made his own stand for power, claiming he was his father ’ s favorite anyway. three senone chieftains, adiat, gutus, and uxellosirom, who had settle their each sizeable clans in various parts of the kingdom, and claimed that since their clans were the greatest, they should be the senonirix. of course, they then began to squabble about whose clan was greater. meanwhile, in the other room, senonirix cingetocintus clung to his woolen blankets and coughed. the druids around him were making herbal teas and medicines to ease the great king ’ s sickness. cingetocintus coughed again, this time into his blankets. when he pulled them away, there was blood upon them. the old man looked pleadingly at the nearest druid, and said solemnly : “ there can only be one. or else all our people have worked for, have fought and died for shall fall apart and become like many rocks chipped away from a great stone. ” senonirix cingetocintus died on an unknown day in the winter of 351 b. e. ( 358 b. c. ). when spring came, the senone elites who each claimed the title of senonirix gathered their forces and began consolidating their power. civil war broke out, and many peoples found themselves watching with anticipation. the carthaginians and greeks, whose ships were being pirated with increasing frequency these past few years, especially took interest in the war that was breaking out in northern italia, and each would back their own claimant to further their own interests. and so began the senone wars of succession, as they would be called later. gaulish or gallic. the gauls referred to themselves as celtos ( singular ) or celti ( plural ), so their language would be referred to as celtic. this particular dialect would later be known as old celtic as the ages passed. chapter two : the wars of succession part two : the dawn of blood let no one forget how brutal the world was in those long past ages. even the toughest of men now would not last a minute in the world people lived in over two thousand years ago. it is estimated that the average lifespan in 300 b. e. was around 50. only the wealthy and well off could manage to scrounge a living beyond those years, and to attain such an


world people lived in over two thousand years ago. it is estimated that the average lifespan in 300 b. e. was around 50. only the wealthy and well off could manage to scrounge a living beyond those years, and to attain such an age was to be considered ancient, belonging to a dead age that passed with the decaying flesh of the slain. in what would be the bloodiest chapter in the italian wars until pyrros of epieros ’ famous invasion, the recently consolidated senone kingdom in the north broke asunder into several factions claiming kingship gave the carthaginians and the greeks yet another opportunity to wrestle for control the western mediterranean sea. it all started with the death of the senonirix cingetocintus who had led the senones in a conquest over the rasna city - states in the region. with his death, it seemed every warlord and chieftain with an ounce of ambition had gathered an army and was ready to fight for the title. the newly birthed senone state fractured like a windowpane once hit with a rock. the main contenders for the thrown, glastus, marumarka, dubiepos, adiat, gutus, uxellosirom, each took stronghold where they were most supported. glastus, the late senonirix ’ s second - in - command, quickly gathered the forces loyal to him and secured veii and the lower tiber. marumarka, cingetocintus ’ eldest son, made sena his base of operations, retaining control over the port city ancona to the south. dubiepos, his brother, who had always been popular in the city of perusia, declared himself senonirix as well as parosirix, in reminiscence of his father. adiat, a chieftain in the countryside secured a region in central mexl rasnal where his clan had settled. gutus seized quick control of fufluna, gaining the allegiance of the ligures who lived there, as well as taking control of felathri, and uxellosirom, having been of a clan with close ties to the boii along the padus river took control of the lands in the north, making curtun his base of operations. in the meantime, several other chieftains and warlords took control of small swaths of land. glastus of veii experienced in the ways of war, arguably more than any of his rivals, glastus did not consider


of operations. in the meantime, several other chieftains and warlords took control of small swaths of land. glastus of veii experienced in the ways of war, arguably more than any of his rivals, glastus did not consider which part of the kingdom was most symbolic. he would let the others squabble over sena, perusia, and curtun. in the meantime, he made sure to gather those loyal to him ( a large number, especially the cavalry ) and secure the lower tiber. from there he could not only defend, but attack with ease. the river tiber was in many ways an open door to the inland. with the mountains running down the spine of the kingdom, the tiber river was the only waterway that ran through them. if he could control the river, he was sure he would control the kingdom, as was his right! veii greeted him with open arms. the diverse population of latins, rasna, and senones hailed : “ glastus senonirix! glastus veorix! ”. a great celebration was made, and the finest bull in the city was sacrificed to cernunnos. but once the celebration was over, he wasted no time. if he was to win this war, he was going to need to make friends, and fast. messengers were sent to neapolis and syracuse for aid. in return, the senones under glastus would send men to assist in the war against carthage in sicily. in the meantime, he sent his generals to the coast, where they would ensure the loyalty of the towns there. a brief skirmish occurred at ostia, a latin town at the mouth of the tiber river that had not been under the senonirix ’ s control, but the senones quickly overtook it, and glastus insured that nothing would go in or out of the tiber river without his say - so. marumarka of sena everything seemed to be going wrong. not realizing sena was a shit - heap in comparison to the rasna cities his father had conquered, marumarka had set himself up for disaster. even his own younger brother dubiepos had betrayed him, and was vying for the same title as he. however, his other brother, segoveco remained loyal, and for this marumarka granted him control over the port of ancona ( only as long as he remained loyal ; marumarka could trust no one ). from there,


. however, his other brother, segoveco remained loyal, and for this marumarka granted him control over the port of ancona ( only as long as he remained loyal ; marumarka could trust no one ). from there, marumarka attempted to retain control over the adriatic coast of his father ’ s now fragmented kingdom. attempted was the key word. sabines and samnites continually raided from the south, sensing this moment of weakness. not to mention that his rivals for the thrown were pressing in with forces much larger than his own. dubiepos of perusia “ parosirix! senonirix! parosirix! senonirix! ” so shouted dubiepos ’ forces as they marched down the misa river. once he controlled this river, he would march upon sena itself at the mouth of the river, and remove his brother marumarka from the contest. dubiepos controlled a strong army of 5000 senones and 6000 rasna from perusia and velzna. finally, two days away from sena, he met his brother ’ s army. it was puny, ragtag, and clearly following the wrong man. dubiepos shouted from the head of his grand army : “ the man you follow is a liar, an imposter! the gods clearly do not show him favor ; i only need to look at this army in shambles to tell that. i challenge my brother marumarka to the fight, for the title of our father! ” marumarka, not willing to look like a coward before his army, resolved to fight his brother. with the howl of his charioteer ’ s horn, he accepted the challenge. dubiepos put his iron helmet on his head and smiled. he drew his sword. the fatal weapon shown like the fury of the gods, and he approached the battlefield where he would surely slay his brother. marumarka yelled and shouted as he rushed toward dubiepos, a massive war hammer held in his hands. he looked fierce enough, but the calm with which dubiepos approached unnerved him. the younger son could see as much by the way marumarka could not bring himself to look dubiepos in the eye. finally, dubiepos broke into a trot. he remembered being a boy, how marumarka and he would spar. marumarka always won, he was bigger, older, and more experienced. but a lot


the eye. finally, dubiepos broke into a trot. he remembered being a boy, how marumarka and he would spar. marumarka always won, he was bigger, older, and more experienced. but a lot had changed since those days. dubiepos had proved himself in battle, had killed many men, and he was in his prime, a fit and powerful adversary. marumarka, by contrast, was growing old. while still strong, his years had taken away the swiftness of his feet, the power of his arms, and the sharpness of his mind. marumarka brought his war - hammer down, allowing the weapon ’ s weight to do its job. dubiepos sidestepped his brother, and allowed the heavy weapon to make a small crater in the ground. dubiepos struck with his sword, but his brother blocked reflexively with the shaft of his war - hammer. dubiepos managed to pull loose his sword from the hardwood shaft only in time to duck. he felt the top of his helmet meet the hammer - strike. dubiepos ’ helmet went flying from his head, but dubiepos himself remained unharmed. now was the moment. with the swiftness of a raven ’ s wing, dubiepos lunged forward, and brought his sword up. marumarka was too slow to react, and his eyes could not relay to his head what he saw until it was too late, and dubiepos ’ blade had stuck him. the sword ran straight through marumarka ’ s head, entering from the soft place below the jaw, and puncturing the skull from its base. marumarka was dead instantaneously. dubiepos removed his bloodied sword, glistening with flecks of brain and bone, from his rival ’ s cadaver, as both armies shouted : adiat the bagaudas without any great cities to make his base of operation, adiat and his supporters were left to raid the countryside. while he carved out a decent sized swath of land for himself in the center of the kingdom, it was weak, and sparsely populated without any cities. for the time being, no one bothered to invade the lands held by his clan, so he went about raiding and skirmishing. but, as his followers grew unruly and annoyed with his lack of progress, small towns began breaking off and governing themselves autonomously. gutus of fufluna gutus of fufl


clan, so he went about raiding and skirmishing. but, as his followers grew unruly and annoyed with his lack of progress, small towns began breaking off and governing themselves autonomously. gutus of fufluna gutus of fufluna found himself in a very precarious situation. his ligurian pirates allowed him naval superiority over his rivals, but as we all know, history does not happen in a vacuum, and now that cingetocintus was gone, fufluna was not only eyed by other chieftains with hopes of gaining the title of senonirix. in the spring 354 b. e. ( 361 b. c. ) the carthaginians sent an armada to fufluna to quell the center of piracy. a wall of ships surrounded the harbor, each bearing the punic horse on their sails. the expedition, led by none other than hanno i of carthage ( also known as hanno i the great ) who had six years earlier defended lilybaeum, a carthaginian held city in sicily, from dionysius i of syracuse. and everything was made worse by the fact that uxellosirom of curtun was marching his army west along the arno river to stake his claims there. he needed help, and he needed it fast. one night, under the cover of darkness, he sent a small ship out to seek assistance from the greeks. gutus prayed to the gods and sacrificed his own finest ram for some help. he needed it, and he needed it soon. uxellosirom of curtun uxellosirom was surprised with how quickly the carthaginians were able to assess the situation after cingetocintus ’ death. “ we promise assistance, ” the translator spoke for the punic emissary, “ in return for fealty to carthage, and that no senone ship will again attack one bearing the punic horse on its sails. ” uxellosirom considered this. surely there were enough seas in the ocean that the senone pirates could afford to do without attacking the carthaginians. so he said : “ i will be making my claims known along the arno river come spring. gutus has taken fufluna, and he too will be attempting to take the lands there. ” the emissary smiled a long, thin grin once the message was relayed to him. “ nihna xamm ken mniih xazar itta mal


, and he too will be attempting to take the lands there. ” the emissary smiled a long, thin grin once the message was relayed to him. “ nihna xamm ken mniih xazar itta malhammit pomplon. ” “ my people will be happy to help you fight fufuluna. ” the sicilian wars of otl between carthage and the greeks would spread further north into italia, and so the term italian wars became an umbrella term for any conflict between carthage and the greeks either in sicily, sardinia, corsica, or italia. pyrrhus of epirus as he will be known ittl. don ’ t worry ; we will get to him later. “ glastus, king of the senones! glastus, king of veii! ” gaulish for “ guerilla fighter ” or “ brigand ” a rough translation, which does much to explain why poor gutus is getting the shaft. chapter two : the wars of succession part three : the pale man the city of veii had spent the winter preparing for a war that came surprisingly late for it. glastus had anticipated invasion as soon as the snow melted, perhaps even earlier. if his rivals for the throne would not invade, then surely the embittered latin tribes to the south, or the sabines to the east would. but no such invasion came. glastus had taken firm control over the mouth of the river tiber, had even seized lands not previously under senone control. aggression and attack were where glastus excelled. but, against his nature, glastus and his forces were still. they patrolled the tiber and the surrounding area under the control of glastus ( senonirix! veorix! ), or they trained and prepared for battle : battle they were begrudgingly ordered not to seek, not yet at least. but now glastus waited, watching from the hilltop of his walled city. two greek barges approached up river, slowly, flanked by senone escorts on each bank of the river. all the actors were in place to make the grand performance necessary to divert the syracusian and neapolitans of glastus ’ worth. glastus needed the greeks to see the might of the senones in battle. this would convince them that glastus and his men were a worthy ally, and with the syracusians ’ and neapolitans ’ assistance glastus would


needed the greeks to see the might of the senones in battle. this would convince them that glastus and his men were a worthy ally, and with the syracusians ’ and neapolitans ’ assistance glastus would reign undisputedly as senonirix. that was the plan, at least. glastus rode down to the harbor to meat the emissaries as they arrived and were unloaded from their barges. unlike others of his rank, glastus was not one for the ostentatious attire put on by high - ranking senones. he was a man of action, and looked as much. he wore no jewels, but only a gold band around his brow, and his golden torque around his neck. his ring - mail shirt clinked with each gallop of his war - horse, and on his leather belt hung a long sword in its sheath. he met the greeks, dressed in fine linens and gold jewelry, just as they set their sandaled feet onto senone soil. they did not look so different than the rasna and latins who were unloading their goods from the barge, only clearly richer. glastus called a translator, and said to the greeks : “ you came just in time, my friends. the latini of gabii have sent an army to attack us. you will be able to see firsthand the might of my men! ” what the syracusian and neapolitan emissaries did not know what that glastus, though seemingly simple, never left anything up to chance. only two weeks ago, he had sent a small force of senone elites under his son tarvinos into latium. glastus ’ orders were simple : go to the town of gabii, and demand that they submit to the senonirix glastus. when they do not, take the city, and round up all of the men, and separate them from the women and children. kill as few as possible. now tarvinos waited in the hills on the other side of the tiber with his small army of senone elites. stripped of armor, and given blunt weapons, were what was left of the latins of gabii. tarvinos had managed to capture about five thousand of them with a force of less than one thousand. he was proud of that, and thought that it proved him a good commander. with the favor of the gods, he would one day become


. tarvinos had managed to capture about five thousand of them with a force of less than one thousand. he was proud of that, and thought that it proved him a good commander. with the favor of the gods, he would one day become senonirix after his father. “ now, ” tarvinos reminded his captives in their tongue, “ remember that if you do not run when we tell you to, we will kill your women and children without a single thought. ” he could feel the anger in his captives. it came off them like a heat. that was good, it would make their cries more convincing to greek ears. akakios watched in awe. he had never seen battle fought in such a way. indeed, a man from syracuse, he had seen many battles between the greeks of syracuse and the carthaginians, and even other greeks from other cities in the region, but this kind of frenzied fighting that he now witnessed outside the gates of veii was, for lack of a better word, amazing. the king of the city, glastus, had insisted that he and the emissary from neapolis, simonides, watch from the safety of the city walls, where should the unlikely event that the senones fail in battle occur, the emissaries would be safe. for all his barbaric pride, the senone king struck akakios as cunning, much like odysseus of old. but on the battlefield, the man turned into achilleus. he watched as the latins came from behind the hills, screaming and shouting with all manner of barbarism. they wore no armor, but they marched in a host of thousands with weapons glimmering in the sunlight. then glastus, barbarian yet civilized, rode from the gates of the city on a mighty war - horse and led his army to meat his enemy. the senones blared their horns and pounded drums as they approached closer and closer to their enemies, before finally breaking into a frenzied charge. the senones cut through the latins with ferocious ease, breaking their wicker shields just as easily as they broke their bones. akakios watched with particular amazement as glastus singlehandedly leveled three men with one swing of his great sword. the battle was quickly won by the senones, and akakios murmured to his fellow greek : “ after we exchange gifts, i am certain that out cities will make allies with this king. ” latin


men with one swing of his great sword. the battle was quickly won by the senones, and akakios murmured to his fellow greek : “ after we exchange gifts, i am certain that out cities will make allies with this king. ” latins from a town called gabii in latium that was once under roman control. achilles ( non - latinized ) chapter two : the wars of succession part four : the man of great rage segoveco was not a natural leader. since he was young, he had always been in the shadow of greater men in his family : his father cingetocintus, his older brother marumarka, and even his younger brother dubiepos had proved a more formidable man. it was not that he wasn ’ t fierce in battle ; segoveco was feared for his prowess with the sword. it was not that he was dim of wit ; he had gone under the same learning as his brothers. and it was not that he was small of stature ; he towered over most men. the reason why segoveco was never handed a position of power, why he was never proclaimed a leader, was something a bit darker. the man was apparently mad. something about the look of his eye always had given his father fright, and he had done his best to reserve the boy ’ s insanity for the battlefield, where it might do some good. but beyond the many wars the senones had conducted, cingetocintus had held his second son back intentionally. but now, the only kith and kin to hold him back set clearly in opposition, the madness of segoveco was set loose. segoveco, having been granted control of ancona by his late brother, would not submit to his younger sibling. this much was evident by his swift sacking of sena from the sea only two weeks after dubiepos took the city. his pirate fleet, accompanied by liburnians, quickly stormed the city, seized its wealth, and made for their ships and returned to ancona. segoveco earned a lot of flack from his supporters for not taking the city when he had the chance, so segoveco challenged any who disagreed with him to a fight to the death … at once. segoveco reportedly fought seven of his own men at the same time, slaying all of them. he, however, did not escape unscathed. in the fray, his left hand was severed from his


death … at once. segoveco reportedly fought seven of his own men at the same time, slaying all of them. he, however, did not escape unscathed. in the fray, his left hand was severed from his arm. segoveco then took his hand, and threw it in the face of his adversary, stunning his enemy in time to behead him. he then invited his liburnian allies into his city, tipping the proverbial scales to his favor within ancona. at this time, dubiepos retaliated, and launched an assault on ancona. at the siege, segoveco stood up on the walls of his city, and began urinating on the aggressors below. he did not seem to take any worry to the arrows flying up at him, and when he was finished excreting, he turned around and walked away, unharmed. with continued help from the liburnians, bringing in supplies from the sea and harassing any ship in alliance of friendship with dubiepos, the only way ancona would be taken would be if the walls were breached and the city stormed. to this end, segoveco seemed to show no care. five months into the siege, he opened the gate to the city, and, standing in the threshold, proclaimed himself the god of destruction, and challenged all of dubiepos ’ army to fight him. stunned, no man approached, so segoveco ran screaming at the assembled army, and began killing men. eventually he received the resistance he desired, but no man could manage to kill him. he lost his right eye, however, and received an arrow to the left buttock, but segoveco still managed to kill twelve men, and return the ancona alive. demoralized, dubiepos decided that his psychotic brother would be a thorn in his side to pluck another day. segoveco, the senone king of ancona, also known as segoveco the mad, would continue to reign in his port city, and with his newly found allies across the adriatic, would become a scourge. an illyrian tribe located in what is now croatia, used to be the most powerful hegemony in the adriatic until 384 b. c. when dionysius the elder of syracuse defeated them and began founding syracusian colonies along the adriatic ( including ancona, which was later taken by the senones


the most powerful hegemony in the adriatic until 384 b. c. when dionysius the elder of syracuse defeated them and began founding syracusian colonies along the adriatic ( including ancona, which was later taken by the senones ittl, oh the irony ). chapter two : the war of succession part five : the black horse “ what can we do? ” dubiepos asked himself in his chamber. “ that bastard in ancona set the city of our people alight, and now he invites men from across the sea onto our shores. ” he slammed his fist down, making his thrown shake. he now lodged in perusia, the city that had first embraced him as senonirix. with sena burned, it was the only other royal city under his domain. work had already begun on rebuilding sena, slaves had been taken, and dubiepos ’ coffers were almost empty. but there were other matters to attend to, particularly the state of civil war that consumed his father ’ s kingdom. dubiepos needed to secure more territory, else his claim to the thrown would wither and die just as swiftly as his slain brother marumarka ’ s had. the closest royal city was curtun, which currently held allegiance to uxellosirom, who was occupied launching a massive siege on fufluna in the west with the help of the carthaginians. dubiepos, both cunning and brave, saw an excellent opportunity to boost his people ’ s confidence in him. after the humiliating defeat at ancona, dubiepos certainly needed it. in the spring of 353 b. e. ( 340 b. c. ), dubiepos launched a fresh campaign. his army amasses, refreshed after a winter of rest, and marched for the scarcely defended curtun. uxellosirom was a fool for devoting so much of his force to a siege so far from his city. what little resistance there was, dubiepos ’ chariots quickly ran over, trampled beneath the hard hooves of the parosirix, the true senonirix! curtun fell before uxellosirom even heard word that his city was being assaulted while he piddled his forces away on a siege that was taking him all of a year to even make progress. dubiepos took curtun in a week. the gods favored the black horse. this much was certain. the adriatic sea, to be


piddled his forces away on a siege that was taking him all of a year to even make progress. dubiepos took curtun in a week. the gods favored the black horse. this much was certain. the adriatic sea, to be precise. in case you hadn ’ t noticed, the past few update names are the english translations of the senonirix rivals ’ names. dubiepos means black horse. chapter two : the wars of succession part six : the second year in 353 b. e. ( 360 b. c. ) the war of senone succession was breaking out into a massive bloodbath. it seemed every power in the mediterranean sea who had invested in italia had some involvement. while the senone contenders fought amongst themselves, the carthaginians backed uxellosirom of curtun, the syracusians and neapolitans backed glastus of veii, the liburnians were re - colonizing the adriatic with the help of the mad king of ancona, and that was only within the first year of the conflict. taras, a greek city - state in magna graecia, threw in its lot with dubiepos of perusia after his assault on curtun. they hoped to hinder syracuse ’ s influence in the adriatic, as well as pissing off the carthaginians, who were pushing to further their influence in the region. fufluna, which had been assaulted by the curtun - carthage alliance made it out just by luck. when dubiepos took curtun, uxellosirom quickly forewent his siege on the port - city, turned his army around, and attempted to take back his city. unfortunately for him, he ran into a certain adiat baguadas along the way, and they met in battle. uxellosirom defeated his rival, who escaped into the hills, but the skirmish was enough to weaken his army just enough to loose against dubiepos. he managed to escape to felathri with a diminished force, but his claim to senonirix was effectively castrated. however, his carthaginian allies continued to blockade fufluna, disregarding the needs of their ally. it became apparent that the carthaginians had motives of their own other than putting uxellosirom up as the senonirix. gutus of fufluna, however, was fortunate enough to now only have one enemy assaulting his city. in


that the carthaginians had motives of their own other than putting uxellosirom up as the senonirix. gutus of fufluna, however, was fortunate enough to now only have one enemy assaulting his city. in the summer of that year, a band of sabines moved into senone territory, raiding along the tiber until they were stopped by glastus of veii. gutus of fufluna barely managed to get a ship through the hanno the great iii ’ s mighty carthaginian blockade in search of aid. such aid was found in massalia. a small fleet of fifty biremes and twenty pentakonters was sent, which, while initially ineffective, was enough to reprieve the city. with the help of neapolis and syracuse, glastus of veii took control of the coastline, including the cities of caisra, tarchna, velch, and vetluna, all of which had been ruled by local governors until someone took control. glastus was glad to oblige. his greek allies, meanwhile, began flooding these port cities with merchant vessels eager to sell and trade, a luxury that had been denied to them with the outbreak of such a violent war. this rapid expansion, however, was quickly checked by a samnite into his territory that winter. glastus just managed to rebuff the invasion outside veii, but at the price of his and his allies ’ men. all eyes were on the former senone kingdoms. and soon, the wars of senone succession would lead to international conflict beyond the small backwater borders of their italian region. oh, we will be seeing a lot of these old boys remember, italy, while of some importance, was not all that. chapter two : the wars of succession part seven : stale mate and a glimpse of the future “ okay, so what have we learned so far about early itiloian history? ” master merko asked to his flock of pupils sitting in the grass outside the akadamio do faio. birds chirped sweetly and the wind brushed through the olive trees that flanked them, giving shade. his pupils, a motley group of some fifteen men and women who had all been sent by their families to gain a classical education, looked up at their teacher blankly. “ come now, the fresh air is good for your minds. surely the summer sun can warm the ice off your brains! ” master merko sighed, and took


sent by their families to gain a classical education, looked up at their teacher blankly. “ come now, the fresh air is good for your minds. surely the summer sun can warm the ice off your brains! ” master merko sighed, and took off his turban - like hat and ran a hand through his blonde hair. “ well, ” paxitie, a local aristocrat ’ s snoody daughter, said, “ the senoians came in and conquered itiloia. ” “ an over - simplification, paxitie, that would skew all of history. the senoians only conquered and settled tuscoia and senoia, ” master merko said. “ imagine a world where they had swept over all of itiloia! everything would have changed! imagine, no quartoian wars, no tuscoian revolts, no sapinmoian expansion! ” his pupils returned his ramblings on alternate histories with more bank stares. master merko rolled his eyes. “ anyway, can anyone answer my question more fully? ah, aedono, you haven ’ t said a thing today. tell us about the rise and fall of the senoian kingdom. ” aedono looked up, shocked to be called upon so abruptly. his curly black hair and dark skin gave him away as an ellenean, but, lucky for him, he had inherited that famous ellenean logic which had earned him some acclaim amongst the teachers. usually he was always answering questions, but today he was oddly quiet. “ well? ” master merko prodded. the entire class looked at aedono, waiting for his answer. “ well, the senoian king brennos and his successor cingetocintus conquered the regions of tuscoia and senoia, defeating and destroying the ancient tuscoians. but after cingetocintus died, the kingdom broke up into three smaller kingdoms because of a war over who should be king. the quartoians and elleneans got involved. we still don ’ t know exactly what ended the war, but the senoian kingdom was never united again. ” “ good, then what happened? ” “ isn ’ t that when the sapinmoian wars began? ” “ about a decades later, yes. very good aedono. ” italian, as known by the tuscions of 1452 a. d. ( 1459 p. e. ), wherein this lecture takes


. c. ) the battle of cumae raged between the rasna against an allied force of greeks from syracuse, cumae, and neapolis, in which the greeks achieved victory. little did they know that this battle would mark the beginning of the end for both cultures in the region. only a few decades later, capeva was overrun by the osci ( the tribe for which the oscan language branch is named ) who swept into the region from the hills and retook the region for their people. in 416 b. e. the osci breached the walls of cumae, and ousted the greeks from the region except for the city of neapolis, which remained strong against them. but after these conquests, the osci civilized and settled down from their pastoral ways. they quickly adopted the greek notion of polis, and formed the capevan league. while the senones were dismantling the rasna civilization further north, another nomadic group was causing trouble on the peninsula. a warlike tribe of shepherds closely related to the osci of capeva, the samnites, or safineis in their tongue, were pressing down on their relatives from the hills. the samnites were a people who occupied south - central italia composed of four tribes. the strongest tribe, the pentri, ruled from the city of bovaiamom, the caraceni who were centered in the city of cluviae, the caudini of caudium, and the hirpini, who ruled from maloenton. while these cities were nothing compared to the grandeur and wealth of the coastal cities, they were well populated and easily defensible, housing massive samnite populations. their federal league, was centered around the pentri capital. indeed, the samnites were something more than the rustic bumpkins their osci kin liked to portray. samnite raids into the unstable north after the collapse of the senone kingdom successfully checked glastus of veii from invading further inland as well as dubiepos. the amazing thing is, these were merely expeditionary forces by ambitious samnite warriors looking for loot. the samnite war - machine was something to be feared indeed. their unique battle formation situated their legions in small square phalanxes arranged in a checker - board pattern. this innovation allowed for incredible maneuverability in the rough hills of central and southern italia, as well as maintaining the structure and strength of a phalanx. so,


legions in small square phalanxes arranged in a checker - board pattern. this innovation allowed for incredible maneuverability in the rough hills of central and southern italia, as well as maintaining the structure and strength of a phalanx. so, in 337 b. e. ( 344 b. c. ), when the samnites poured into the capevan plains demanding the grasslands for their herds, there was little that could be done. the greeks on the coast appealed to philip ii of makedonia, but he was two busy expanding his kingdom, and to epirus, who was too busy keeping the illyrians to their north in check. the capevans called on help from the senones in veii under their new king tarvos, but they were too busy suppressing latin and faliscan revolts within their kingdom. in 336 b. e. the samnites poured into the city of capeva, taking it for themselves and effectively absorbing the capevan league into their own. little is known about the samnites before this period of expansion, but the warrior shepherds would prove to be an extremely important and influential group in the southern half of italia, and whose wars would inadvertently shape the politics and wars of the mediterranean world. campania ( or capua ), which, if you recall, was founded by the etruscans capuan league as we would know it modern day otl bojano modern day otl benevento chapter three : the age of shepherds part two : the springtime cult with the expansion of the samnites in southern italia came the expansion of their culture. the samnites, a warlike culture centered around their sheep herds, had intertwined much of their religion with their livelihood. this religion, known as the cult of springtime, or the holy springtime, was based in large part around the migrations of shepherds through samnite territory. with ancient roots that certainly hold the intrigue of archaeology, the practice seemed to have started as a way for the ancient italic peoples to cope with overpopulation, famine, and plague. to prevent the death of their people, tribes would force members of their tribe into a migration ( not unlike what the ancient celts did, which, if you remember, lead to their settlement in northern italia ). the samnites, who were very much isolated in the limestone mountains of the interior of southern italia. the cult carried many traits of this ancient heritage. with every spring, any first


if you remember, lead to their settlement in northern italia ). the samnites, who were very much isolated in the limestone mountains of the interior of southern italia. the cult carried many traits of this ancient heritage. with every spring, any firstborn birthed during the spring months was sacrificed to the god mamerte, the god of war. the peoples of each samnite village would predestine who would one day migrate and form a new village. the migrant samnites would choose an animal that pleased the gods ( a bull, a wolf, or an deer usually ), and would search for a place to settle until they found one that would please such an animal blessed by the gods. only shepherd - warriors would attend this migration. migrants were considered sacred, and would lead their herds along the central roads through the apennines. along these roads, dotting the landscape, were temples dedicated to the samnite gods. this ritual, related to the following of the herd, would as the samnite population continued to boom be the direct cause of much conflict in the region once they started to pour outside of the mountains. the samnites did not believe in a concept of land ownership. instead, they believed that all land was to be used by the group mutually to feed their herd of sheep. the shepherd - warriors, however, needed an outlet to prove their valor and strength. so, on the spring equinox, to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of a new year to feed their herds, men would partake in wrestling matches and other war - like games to showcase their strength and prowess as a warrior. when the samnites moved into campeva, their religion took on some greek influence, and it was not long before the greeks associated analogous gods of the samnites with their own. mamerte, for example, was quickly associated with ares, and castor with apollo. however, the greeks were not the only ones to influence samnite religion as it left the periphery and joined the rest on the world - stage. the celts to the north made special influence on samnite religion with their custom of druidic rites of sacrificing people and animals together. the samnites took on the celtic custom of building their centers of prayer, circular temples made from stone, away from populated areas. a clear throwback to a time of overpopulation and / or famine. interestingly, when the romans annexed samnium, this tradition was the basis


custom of building their centers of prayer, circular temples made from stone, away from populated areas. a clear throwback to a time of overpopulation and / or famine. interestingly, when the romans annexed samnium, this tradition was the basis of the roman gladiatorial games, in which they added weapons and animals for entertainment. chapter three : the age of shepherds part three : expansion of the league the swift samnite takeover of campeva was by no means the last time neighboring tribes would have conflict with the samnites. with the rasna thoroughly destroyed by the senones, who were now dealing with internal issues of their own ( some theorize these internal issues to be a directly caused by samnite expansion to the south ), no one was strong enough to check their growing influence. in 335 b. e. ( 342 b. c. ) the samnites made a swift takeover of their neighbors to their northwest, the ausones, the volsci, and latins. the ausones, a tribe very close in relation to the samnites, as well as being the closest in proximity to the samnites, was also the strongest of the three, but their rigid phalanx formations were not flexible enough to out maneuver the checkerboard formation of the samnite hoplites. at an unknown site, the samnites defeated them. the ausones, sensing where the tide was going, then switched sides, and joined the samnite confederation. the samnites then marched into latium, where they met a combined volsci and latin force. the volsci and the latins were traditional enemies. the volsci spoke their own language, which was closely related to oscan, the language the samnites, ausones, and campevan oscans all spoke. they often warred with the latin league over the region of latium, and had actually a considerable amount of influence over the southern and eastern parts of the region. they quite often allied with the aequi, while the latins usually allied with the hernici. but of late, with increasing latin migration north of the tiber, the remaining latin tribes and city - states found themselves weak in the face of the samnite war - machine. after a brief battle, both the volsci and the latins were forced to flee the field. the samnites had already taken the volsci cities of atina, arpinum, and sora before the volsci and


- machine. after a brief battle, both the volsci and the latins were forced to flee the field. the samnites had already taken the volsci cities of atina, arpinum, and sora before the volsci and latins finally called for aid from the aequi and hernici. another battle occurred with all four peoples against the samnites, believed to have taken place along the trerus river, near the tiber. this time, in the middle of the battle, the aequi suddenly switched sides, and began fighting along side the samnites. it is believed the aequi turned against their allies in hopes of reaping some revenge upon the hernici. the samnite forces then crushed what remained of their enemies. no force stood in their way to stop their expansion into latium. they raided and sacked the latin city of ardea, and outright destroyed the barely recovering city of gabii. it is believed that this caused a massive influx of latin refugees north of the tiber, however there is no definitive proof, and latins had already been trickling north to fill the emptied lands the senones had violently occupied. by 334 b. e. ( 341 b. c. ) the entire region was overrun. the hernici were forced to fight off the aequi, but they lost significant territory to both the aequi and the samnites, and were reduced to little more than a footnote in the area. during this period of expansion, the samnites made many friends and enemies. many of the tribes living in the mountainous regions of italia, who shared similar shepherd cultures and languages, allied themselves with the emerging power to the south. such tribes included the marsi, aequi, peligni, and sabines. these tribes would rely heavily on samnite support as chaos was ( once again ) beginning to erupt in the areas north of their borders. over time, the samnites would slowly absorb some of these tribes, while others would retain autonomy for quite some time. but, on the other hand, the samnites made enemies with the coastal city - states, who were very threatened by these barbarians from the hills and mountains inland. most of these city - states were greek, but some were rasna residuals, or hellenized tribes along the coastline. in the coming years, their fears would prove to be quite founded. this will be explained, no worries. the greeks who usually recorded the goings


were greek, but some were rasna residuals, or hellenized tribes along the coastline. in the coming years, their fears would prove to be quite founded. this will be explained, no worries. the greeks who usually recorded the goings - ons in the peninsula were a tad preoccupied at the moment with troubles of their own. the samnite takeover of the ausones is barely a side note in most of their records. if you recall, this was the city glastus had sacked in order to force its inhabitants to fight against him to convince the greeks to fund him. this, too, will be explained! chapter three : the age of shepherds part four : meanwhile in the senone kingdoms veorix tarvos and what remained of his men looked back at the beach as they sailed away. on the beach, he could hear the cheers and applause of the rebels as they watched him flee. corpses bled out on the beach, turning the white sand red, and eventually being pulled out to sea by the tide. the rebels threw their hands into the air, some of them lobbing their helmets into the sky. “ libertas! ” they shouted, “ libertas etrusci! libertas veo! ” tarvos spat into the ocean and leered. the ocean wind now blew in the sails of his ship, and in his face. it tasted bitter. how did this happen? he thought to himself. i had it all. how did this happen? veorix glastus ’ reign was relatively peaceful once he secured his power along the tiber. as was promised, glastus sent senone warriors to fight for syracuse in their war against carthage on sicily. the senone kingdom of veii and syracuse maintained good relations, and trade between the two cities flourished. veii grew as a city with every year, the areas of the city that had been largely emptied ( a cost of the many wars fought in the region over the past few decades ) were starting to refill with not only senones and rasna, but also latins and greeks from the south, many of whom began to refer to themselves as etrusci, the term they once used to denote the rasna. in fact, because of the larger rasna population in his kingdom, most people actually referred to the senone kingdom of veii ( or veo, as the senones called it ) as a successor - state not to the kingdom of the senonirix, but to mex


rasna population in his kingdom, most people actually referred to the senone kingdom of veii ( or veo, as the senones called it ) as a successor - state not to the kingdom of the senonirix, but to mexl rasnal. inside the city, neighborhoods that were in earlier years divided between senone, rasna, greek, and latin, the lines of ethnicity began to blur. pidgin languages were commonly spoken throughout glastus ’ realm. by the time of glastus ’ death in 345 b. e. ( 352 b. c. ), the cities he ruled were not only busy, but bustling! merchants sold goods from far off lands : amber from the lost regions of the far north, salt and gold from carthage, silver from iberia, fine wool from celtica, purple dye from tyre. in the palaces of ancient veii, archaeologist have, indeed, found goods from lands as far away as india. the countryside, which had taken the heaviest toll during the senone wars, was replenished and settled by senones and latins. vineyards, fields of wheat and rye, and orchards returned to the once black and ashen fields of mexl rasnal into the beautiful, lush green lands that they once were. though there was the occasional border skirmishing between the other senone kings, the kingdom of veo was relatively peaceful in his time. to avoid further fracturing of senone territory, glastus established a formal line of succession to the thrown which would be passed to the eldest male member of the royal family. this gave a real sense of stability in the kingdom, which previously had been waiting with anticipation and worry with every year glastus grew older for a new war to break out. in the court of veo, glastus took the provided historians with the first accounts of the senone wars from the senone perspective when he mandated that the histories be written down in greek, and also ( to the great chagrin of the druid priests ) that it be written in celtic, using the greek alphabet. this was the first known instance of old celtic being written down, providing valuable information about ancient celtic culture and history. apparently, glastus was quite the trend - setter amongst the senone kings, because the new senone alphabet was adopted in sena and fufluna quite quickly, who then went about writing their own versions of senone histories ( of course each account is littered with propaganda ). in 345


latin family, and was treated as one of their own on the farm. he married one of their daughters, and was officially one of their family. but while tarvos believed his line to be secure and his cousin to be dead, he proved to be an extremely poor leader. out of touch with his people, the senone aristocracy called him decadent, more greek than senone! but tarvos silenced his enemies with a harsh hand. on the road entering veo, political adversaries and dissidents were crucified. tarvos raised heavy taxes on his people, and demanded tribute from the latin tribes on the southern coast of the tiber. in 337 b. e. ( 344 b. c. ), the same year campeva asked for senone aid against the samnites, a rebellion broke out in the countryside. tarvos managed to subdue it, but it was only a warning of things to come : a warning veorix tarvos did not heed. tarvos had every rebel slaughtered, their carcasses thrown into a massive pyre. he then increased the taxes already laid upon his people. two years later in 335 b. e. ( 341 b. c. ), the motley inhabitants of tarvos ’ kingdom rose up. at first, tarvos tried to deal with this rebellion like the one he had but a couple of years earlier, and sent a senone army out to destroy the rabble. but instead of news of resounding victory, tarvos heard back something very different. a letter was given to him from his commanders, which read : leux rex etrusci leux rex senoni ” the note was written in both celtic and latin. apparently, this new rebellion was headed by tarvos ’ supposedly dead cousin. when the senone army, which was actually composed of mostly latins and rasna with a senone core, leux revealed himself, showing the torque of his father veorix tarvinos, and the army quickly joined him. tarvos gathered as large of an army as he could muster, but the kingdom was torn. while many joined the veorix, more joined leux. leux did something interesting, however. to appeal to the majority in the region, he proclaimed himself the king of the rasna, or the etrusci ( remember, many latins had begun to call themselves etrusci ) as well as king of the senones. leux was not fighting to gain the thrown of the


he proclaimed himself the king of the rasna, or the etrusci ( remember, many latins had begun to call themselves etrusci ) as well as king of the senones. leux was not fighting to gain the thrown of the senones in veo, he was aiming to start an entirely new kingdom. that summer, tarvos met leux in battle near ostia at the mouth of the tiber. there, he was crushed. his men were outnumbered two to one, and some even defected to leux ’ s side in the middle of the fray. fearing for his life, tarvos fled to the port city of ostia, where he and what was left of his army escaped by sea. they found refuge in syracuse. lo and behold, what would become known as the kingdom of etruscana was born with the rise of the leuxid dynasty. gaul. the gauls referred to themselves as celtos, so their region shall be known to us as celtica and their language as celtic. i will try to make this as clear as possible so as to avoid confusion later on. note that it is not from father to son. “ leux, king of the estrusci, leux, king of the senones ” chapter three : the age of shepherds part five : samnites, lucanians, and bruttians — oh my! by 336 b. e. ( 343 b. c. ), the greek colonies in the south of italia were in a heap of trouble. weakened by war with each other and with carthage, the leaders of these city - states looked to the north with increasing anticipation and worry. with each passing day, the tribes consolidated their power and pressed in on their borders, and it was not only the samnites who were giving them a headache. enter the lucanians and bruttians : two very large tribal confederations who shared the oscan language with the samnites ( and appeared to be allied with them ), as well as their warlike culture. for the past few decades, these native tribes had been pressing in on greek colonial borders from the hilly inland. the lucanians were settled to the direct south of the samnite league, occupying the mountainous territory to the interior of what was the heart of magna graecia, southern italia. they are believed to have originated as either a splinter group of an earlier oscan tribe further north, or to be one of the oldest peoples in the region, and that


the interior of what was the heart of magna graecia, southern italia. they are believed to have originated as either a splinter group of an earlier oscan tribe further north, or to be one of the oldest peoples in the region, and that the other oscan - related tribes originated and splintered off from them. the former is more likely, considering the oscan languages ’ closeness to the languages spoken further north ( such as umbric and sabellic ). the bruttians lived farther south still, in the “ toe ” of italia. their origins were a little less unsure than those of the lucanians. their very name “ brutti ” came from the oscan word for “ rebel ”. so, it is believed, and this was the legend the bruttians and lucanians even used to describe their own origins : that the bruttians originated from a slave rebellion against the lucanians, and settled further south. but, old blood aside, the two proved to be a formidable force against the greek colonists, and with the added help of their relatives, the samnites, they transcended to a force to be reckoned with. taras and the cities under her influence were the prime targets. situated keenly at the center of all trade routes from the aegean to the adriatic and tyrrhenian seas, taras was the jewel of magna graecia at its height in the 360 ’ s and 350 ’ s b. e. under the rule of the mathematician, scientist, philosopher, strategist, commander - in - chief, and statesmen archytas, taras reached its peak, gaining the largest army and fleet of any greek colony at the time, racking in more wealth and trade than any other, and made significant advances against the messapian tribes along the “ heel ” of italia. he even gave his support to the kingdom of sena during the collapse of the senone kingdom, but did not officially lend any troops. it is largely believed the threat of taras ’ involvement prompted the opposing sides to vie for peace, however unstable that peace was. but in 340 b. e. ( 347 b. c. ) archytas died. though taras was still strong, it would be a fast decline for the city, whose opulence had appeared to bring about its own downfall. in 336 b. e. the tarantines called upon their mother - city, sparta, for assistance against the first in many wars to


would be a fast decline for the city, whose opulence had appeared to bring about its own downfall. in 336 b. e. the tarantines called upon their mother - city, sparta, for assistance against the first in many wars to come against the bruttians and lucanians. what prompted this conflict is unclear, but one theory suggests that the italic tribes were used by the tarantines as mercenaries, and that they were either unsatisfied with their pay, or that they simply desired more than just a slice of the metaphoric pie. a year later, king archidamus iii of sparta arrived to aid taras with a spartan army and fleet to combat these “ barbarians ”, these lesser babbling people. but these lesser peoples would have the best of the greeks. after a long, four - year campaign to subdue the lucanians and bruttians, he was slain outside the walls of one of taras ’ satellite cities, a city called manduria, and the tarantine - spartan alliance was defeated. five years later, in 326 b. e. ( 333 b. c. ), taras called for assistance again against the bruttians, lucanians, and samnites, but this time, they called on epiros, currently ruled by alexandros i molossos, uncle to alexandros iii of makedonia. alexandros i made several successes against the tribes. he defeated the samnites and lucanians near poseidonia, a greek colony near campeva, which had been conquered by the lucanians sometime earlier in the 4th century b. e. at heraclea, a tarantine colony, he defeated the lucanians again, and retook the city of terina from the bruttians, who had taken the city in 358 b. e. in 324 b. e. ( 331 b. c. ) alexandros received aid from his makedonian nephew of the same name, and was reinforced with some makedonian hoplites. he used this refreshed army, and made his way to once and for all subdue the troublesome italic tribes. he marched his phalanxes deep into lucania, where he met the samnite, lucanian, and bruttian armies near a town called pandosia. the battle of pandosia was an absolute slaughter for the greeks, and king alexandros i molossos of epiros


he met the samnite, lucanian, and bruttian armies near a town called pandosia. the battle of pandosia was an absolute slaughter for the greeks, and king alexandros i molossos of epiros himself was killed by lucanian warriors. the battle of pandosia is considered to be a huge turning point in the history of ancient southern italia, because it marked the end of greek colonization in the region. though there would continue to be a greek presence in the area, and certainly more greek invasions, and even political influence in the area ; no more greek colonies were ever founded after this date. though little is known about the actual details of the battle, this much was for sure : the key to the italic success was their battle formation, which was far more maneuverable, and could easily outflank the rigid greek phalanx. the italic tribes were armed with short swords and small shields, and their checker - board pattern formations allowed considerably more movement in the hilly terrain which was unsuitable for phalanx. though left relatively defenseless, the city of taras was spared when the samnites were forced to avert their attention northwards. in 320 b. e. hostilities again broke out in the campevan plain, when the samnites captured and garrisoned the city of neapolis, asserting full dominance in the region. here is where the first samnite leader was ever recorded, a man named gavius pontius, meddix of the samnites. he, reportedly, commanded an army of nine thousand men, including one thousand cavalry. the greeks of neapolis were overrun, and forced to cede independence to the samnite league. they documented with more than minor interest this cunning man who would prove to be an integral part of samnite expansion. and as the greeks squabbled and fractured to the south, the samnites consolidated, and strengthened their alliances. however, little did anyone know, a freak accident across the sea would mean huge reverberations for all of them, and would change the face of the world. a conglomeration of tribes believed to be descendant from illyrian colonists, they were an old enemy to the greek colonists in the region. a position similar to the roman consul chapter three : the age of shepherds part six : what was in the paper aedono read like his life depended on it, his eyes pouring over the printed script. he sat on a bench


the region. a position similar to the roman consul chapter three : the age of shepherds part six : what was in the paper aedono read like his life depended on it, his eyes pouring over the printed script. he sat on a bench on a street corner near the academy. carts drove by, steam puffing out from the backs of those now drawn by horse. the city of faio was hustling and bustling in the early summer afternoon. all the pretty girls were out, and children ran through the streets, laughing loudly. but aedono was immersed in the pages he held in his hands. in huge black letters above the article, announced to every glancing eye, were the words : lacyedonian rebels take atena! elleneans lend support! each page brought on mounting excitement and anxiety. he could feel the pit in his neck. being an ellenean himself, aedono could feel pride for his people swelling in his chest, but at the same time, he doubted that the rebels could hold out against the royal gouthanian army in open battle. aedono feared the day the papers would inform him of another slaughter of his people. “ what do you have there, grico? ” suddenly the paper was snatched up from his hands. standing above him was favion, a local student surrounded by his cronies. “ well, would you look at that, boys ; the grico is pretending to read. isn ’ t that cute? ” “ give that back! ” aedono stood up, his dark, curly hair falling in front of his eyes momentarily. “ please, favion, i ’ m not in the mood. ” “ who the fuck do you think you are, talking to me like that? ” favion pushed aedono. “ fucking grico! ” “ don ’ t call me that! ” “ or what? ” favion pushed aedono again, “ what are you going to do? rape my father ’ s goat? oh yeah, that ’ ll show me. ” his comrades chuckled at that one. “ just give me the fucking paper, favion. ” “ my father says he gives these grico idiots in gouthania a month before they all get themselves killed. ” favion pretended to show interest in the paper, poking it and beating it with the back of his hand while he talked, “ i mean, what are a bunch of grico farmers and peasants going to do against


all get themselves killed. ” favion pretended to show interest in the paper, poking it and beating it with the back of his hand while he talked, “ i mean, what are a bunch of grico farmers and peasants going to do against the rict, huh? they don ’ t have any fire - bombs, no blast - engines … ha! i ’ d be surprised if any of these fools will be left to be crucified after the rict blows them to hell with his blast - engines! ” “ i heard they were fighting with nothing but swords and spears they stole, ” one of favion ’ s friends chimed in. “ what is this, the fucking bronze age? ” favion went on. “ lacyedonians? i thought they were all put in their place after their last rebellion. ” “ i know it doesn ’ t mean anything to you, but most people don ’ t like being kept down by an oppressive ruler, ” aedono said. “ now will you please give me back my paper? ” “ fuck you, griko, and fuck your pretty fucking mother! ” “ favion geio igniatie! ” master merko approached them swiftly, his blue eyes piercing. “ master merko! ” for a moment, aedono saw fear in favion ’ s eyes. but he quickly reverted to his persona of the confident leader, and put on a broad smile. he put a thick arm around aedono, “ i was just sharing my paper with my friend aedono, here. it ’ s about the rebels in gauthania, because, you know, aedono is an ellenean, and you know — “ “ i know full - damn - well what you were doing mr. igniatie, ” master merko spoke sternly. “ if i ever see you harass mr. cocanes again, i will see to it that you are given charge of cleaning the chamber pots in the university for the rest of the year. do i make myself clear? ” “ yes, master merko. ” favion said, humbled. “ return mr. cocanes ’ paper now. ” favion pretty much shoved the paper into aedono ’ s hands, crinkling it in the process, but the article was safe in aedono ’ s hand once again. they did as he said. “ thank you, ” aedono said. “ not a problem, ” master


’ s hands, crinkling it in the process, but the article was safe in aedono ’ s hand once again. they did as he said. “ thank you, ” aedono said. “ not a problem, ” master merko said. “ but you were not present for my lecture today on ancient macatonoia. that is very unlike you. ” “ it ’ s just, all this stuff going on in the world, ” aedono said. “ my father keeps sending me letters from seiracusa about how our neighbor ’ s sons just went on a ship to help the rebels, and everyone back home is getting all excited, and then i saw that they were selling an article about it, and well, i guess i just got caught up in it is all. ” “ i suppose you often think of how things could have turned out differently for your people, hm? ” “ well, studying history almost requires me to think such things. ” “ well, ” master merko laughed, “ that is certainly one way to look at it. ” “ can ’ t help but wonder what might have been, right? ” “ oh, the infinite worlds that might exist beyond our own mundane history, ” master merko put a hand over aedono ’ s shoulder. “ i believe there is a writer somewhere in the north writing a book of such kind about the unification of celtica. they are calling it an ‘ alternate history ’. what an intriguing idea, don ’ t you think? ” remember this character? our boy from the year 1453 a. d. ( or 1460 a. e. ittl ). yeah, i think i ’ m going to make it convention to have a little future narrative with the end of every chapter. in case you forgot, the elleneans are the greeks, a name derived from hellenes. as you also might have guessed, “ grico ” is a very derogatory term for such people. and as for who the lacyadonians are, i almost want to leave it as a surprise. take a guess. hmmmm … sounds strangely like something about the goth ’ s, doesn ’ t it? from the germanic “ ric ” a word that meant “ king ”. syracuse, one of the last remaining places on earth with a greek - speaking majority. the weighted scales : a world of an aborted rome apparently it ' s the best ancient tl of 2011. oh baby! last edited by errnge


. syracuse, one of the last remaining places on earth with a greek - speaking majority. the weighted scales : a world of an aborted rome apparently it ' s the best ancient tl of 2011. oh baby! last edited by errnge ; july 31st, 2012 at 06 : 58 pm.. the weighted scales : the world of an aborted rome chapter four : the early hellenistic period part one : the man who would have been great alexandros was hot with the blood of his enemies. his ornate armor gleamed crimson as he slew persian after persian. the field was littered with corpses. it was certainly a good day for the vultures. the battle was almost won, and with the taking of this small town in the south of anatolia ( issos, he thought it was called ), the makedonians, and more importantly alexandros, would gain access to the wealth of the orient. alexandros could see the cowardly persian emperor fleeing. alexandros almost had his glory, his chance to be immortal and slay the effeminate king of kings, but his mercenaries were in trouble. he turned his horse around and — what in olympius?! he saw a blur of a man, a barbarian no doubt, clothed in not but his skin, colored in blue, rush past his horse, but tripped over a persian carcass. alexandros ’ horse reared up, startled. alexandros barked, ready to slay the fool who got in his way, but was cut short. he could not speak, but felt an intense burning pain in his throat. suddenly, blood filled his mouth, his vision blurred, and alexandros fell off his steed with an arrow through the neck. though greatly successful, the first makedonian - persian war ended in disaster for the makedonians. their king, alexandros iii who had shown great prowess on the battlefield and much potential as a leader, was shot by a stray arrow and killed at the battle of issos in 326 b. e. ( 333 b. c. ) near the end of the battle. his body was quickly dragged off the field and valiantly protected by his soldiers. the battle had resulted in heavy persian casualties, and the makedonians managed to route them before word spread that their fearless leader was dead. parmenion, alexandros ’ highest ranking general on the field, managed to keep control of the army, and secured the victory swiftly. it is said that when the battle


managed to route them before word spread that their fearless leader was dead. parmenion, alexandros ’ highest ranking general on the field, managed to keep control of the army, and secured the victory swiftly. it is said that when the battle was over, and the men were morning over the loss of alexandros, some twenty celtic mercenaries were brought before parmenion in chains. their leader, a man named tarvos had been hired with his men by alexandros to fight for him against the persians, but it seemed that this turned out to be alexandros ’ ultimate undoing. the blame was laid on the celtic mercenaries for startling the king ’ s horse, which put alexandros in the way of the arrow that killed him. parmenion had them all killed, beheaded, and their skins lined the inside of the makedonian kings sarcophagus. once the battle was through, parmenion was forced to withdraw his army from anatolia, knowing that a succession crisis was well underway. alexandros iii ’ s had no children, and the next in line for the throne was his mentally ill brother philip iii. though persia was spared from further destruction to be wrought by the superior makedonian army, this was the beginning of the end for the achaemenid empire. furthermore, persia ’ s own internal issues prevented darius iii from retaking much of the land in anatolia he had lost to alexandros iii of makedonia. when parmenion returned to pellas with alexandros ’ body, his brother philip iii had already been crowned the new king of makedonia. a massive funeral was conducted, and the makedonian king was buried in pellas with such ostentation, it gained some criticism from the hellenes to the south, calling it an “ asian funeral ” rather than a proper greek funeral. regardless, alexandros was buried, and many within his kingdom mourned his short reign. soon thereafter, olympias, alexandros iii ’ s mother ( and alexandros i of epiros ’ sister ) at first tried tried to have philip killed ( once again, her first failed poisoning was the reason for his feeble - mindedness ). unfortunately for olympias, one of her servants informed antipater ( who had been given military control of the european army of makedonia ) of her treachery, and she was arrested and imprisoned. three years later, in 323 b. e. ( 330 b. c. )


informed antipater ( who had been given military control of the european army of makedonia ) of her treachery, and she was arrested and imprisoned. three years later, in 323 b. e. ( 330 b. c. ) she was murdered. antipater and parmenion decided to continue the status quo, and parmenion took de facto control of all asian territories acquired through the war with persia, while anitpater took de facto control of all european territories. philip iii then affectively became antipater ’ s puppet. greatly successful according to ttl so that ’ s where the last king of senone veii ended up. chapter four : the early hellenistic period part two : with a whimper, so do the ancients die to ensure stability within the makedonian empire, antipater arranged for philip iii to marry in 324 b. e. ( 331 b. c. ) drypetis, darius iii ’ s daughter, creating a tentative peace with the persians. zopyrion, a makedonian general who had been made governor of thrace by alexandros iii, realized that year that if he continued to sit on his butt in thrace and not contribute the glory of makedonia like the many other far more competent generals of the empire, he would be “ stigmatized as indolent ”. he gathered a force of 30, 000 men, and marched up the coast of the inhospitable sea to take olbia, a greek colony of miletus ( which had been conquered three years earlier by alexandros during his invasion of anatolia ). zopyrion arrived with a superior force, and laid siege upon the city of olbia, as well as attempting a blockade with the makedonian navy, however, a massive tempest devastated the navy, allowing the city to continue to gather supplied by sea. this would only be the beginning of a series of tragedies that befell zopyrion during his excursion. the olbians realized that they lacked the numbers to defeat the makedonian army, even if their navy had been rendered useless. so, they set free all of the slaves within the city and granted them citizenship to fight the invaders. the siege went on, but the olbians were able to hold out long enough to establish an alliance with the scythians in the nearby steppes to the north. only then did zopyrion realize that he did not have the resources to continue this siege, which he initially had


were able to hold out long enough to establish an alliance with the scythians in the nearby steppes to the north. only then did zopyrion realize that he did not have the resources to continue this siege, which he initially had thought would be a relatively easy excursion. he retreated, but his army was constantly harassed by scythian cavalry, who whittled away at the makedonians until only a fraction of the army was left when they reached the istros river. zopyrion surely thought he was safe within subdued territory once he crossed the river, but his army was then ambushed and slaughtered by getae and triballi, who saw this as an opportunity to gain revenge upon the makedonians, who had ravaged their lands four years earlier under alexandros iii. zopyrion himself was killed, and thrace went up in the fires of rebellion now that the local tribes smelled weakness within the empire. that same year, a large rebellion broke out in hellas when the corinthian league refused to acknowledge philip iii as hegemon. the city of athens, under the military leadership of their statesman leosthenes, headed the rebellion, with their allies from aetolia, locris, thessaly, and phocis. leosthenes, arrived in hellas shortly after the death of alexandros iii with a group of anti - makedonian mercenaries who had fought with the persians against makedonia. he quickly stirred up rebellion, which the boetians opposed, hoping to stop the athenians from meeting up with their allies to the north. however leosthenes ’ forces utterly defeated the boetians, and the rebellion was in full force. the hellenes lead their army, some 25, 000 strong, into thessaly. antipater quickly gathered his troops, many already garrisoned within the league of corinth, to crush the uprising. agis iii of sparta saw this as the perfect opportunity to wage war against makedonia, an opportunity he had been awaiting his entire reign. agis iii, through his reign of sparta, seemed to be hell - bent on the destruction of makedonian control in the aegean. during the reign of alexandros iii, agis had made plans with the persians to ally with them against makedonia. however, when the persians were soundly defeated at issus, agis took time to think. alexandros was dead, and the makedonians surely were not


around, and took byblos, where a larger persian force had awaited him, but surrendered without a fight. philotas then moved to take tyre, but was unable to successfully lay siege to the city. realizing this, he moved around tyre, and invaded palestine, taking jerusalem in 320 b. e. ( 327 b. c. ). philotas was making plans to move north and invade armenia, when word reached him that antipater had died of an illness at the age of seventy - seven. philotas made sure to firmly secure syria and palestine for makedonia, garrisoning damascus, sidon, and gaza before returning to anatolia. the next year, philip iii of makedonia died from unknown causes. and he died without an heir. this was how the argead dynasty, who had ruled the makedonians for over four hundred years, ended. the black sea, as the greeks knew it. the danube river iotl, agis iii was severely wounded in this battle, and opted to stay behind and hold of the macedonians himself to buy his men time to escape. it is said that, on his knees, he killed several macedonians before being felled by a javelin. pretty badass guy. leosthenes, on the other hand, launched what was known as the hellenic war in 323 b. c. after alexander ’ s death, and was defeated by antipater. iotl, parmenion is often portrayed as being a cautious man in contrast to the daring alexander. however, one can discern this as poetic license when one takes into account the deeds parmenion accomplished otl. chapter four : the early hellenistic period part three : the theatre of war antipatros ’ son, he claimed the throne almost immediately after the death of philip iii died. there is considerable rumor that he personally killed the makedonian king, however there is no considerable evidence for this. maintaining his father ’ s resentment for the argeads, he lacked his father ’ s restraint and subtlety about it. well educated and ambitious, he was taught by aristoteles, who had also taught alexandros iii of makedonia. not wasting time in the wake of philip iii ’ s death, kassandros hastily took queen drypetis as his wife, forcing her into the marriage by sword - point. from there, he went about systematically securing ( usually by violent means ) the throne for himself. to top it all off, he made sure


was a very vocal supporter of philotas. however, due to his location in pella, he was quickly arrested and executed by kassandros. kleopatra of epiros : another of the few remaining argeads, she was the queen of epiros after the death of her husband alexander i of epiros ( who was also her uncle ) in italia and the execution of her mother olympias. as was the epirote custom, she became the head of the household after her husband ’ s death while her sons were too young to take his place ( rather than what was done in the rest of greece, where the sons would take the place of the father regardless of age ). generally, she was much liked in hellas and makedonia, especially after a shortage of wheat in 327 b. e. ( 334 b. c. ) during which she ordered a massive shipment of grain from kyrene, a massive greek colony in libya, and had the surplus hereto sent to corinth. upon the death of her husband in battle against the samnites and lucanians, an embassy was sent from athens to give their condolences. she was the official welcomer of epiros, which allowed her to keep a close eye on the goings - ons in greece. she was the only full - blooded sibling to alexandros iii of makedonia, and many wanted her to claim the throne of makedonia, affectively uniting epiros and makedonia, however, she refused, fearing for the safety of her family after witnessing the violence that broke out for the makedonian throne. a close friend of alexandros iii of makedonia, and a bodyguard of philip iii, as well as a high ranking general, he quickly sided with kassandros. in many of the rumors about philip ’ s death, ptolemaios is mentioned as an accomplice, however, it is more likely that even if philip iii was murdered, any implication of ptolemaios would be purely fictional considering his previous devout loyalty to the dynasty beforehand. a makedonian nobleman of thessalian origins, he rose to prominence during the reign of alexandros iii, wherein he was appointed as one of the seven official bodyguards of the basileus, a position which he maintained during the reign of philip iii. in the succession crisis following the death of philip iii, he joined the side of kassandros, seeing him as the best


. c. ) he invaded bithynia to secure access to europe. one of alexandros iii ’ s greater generals who was distinguished for his valor at the battle of thebes in 328 b. e. ( 335 b. c. ) in which he was severely wounded. he lent his support to kynane of makedonia, and hoped to use her as a tool for his own political endeavors. however, his fate at the battle of byzantion in 317 b. e. ( 324 b. c. ) would cut them short. perdikkas ’ younger brother, and in many ways his dog, essentially went with whatever his brother did and said. he, like his brother, lent his support to kynane of makedonia, but attempted to murder her ( as part of his brother ’ s plan to take the reigns of makedonia ) just previous to the battle of byzantion as a reaction to the proposed marriage between euridike and philotas. he, too, would meet his end within the walls of byzantion, side by side with his brother perdikkas. eumenes of kardia : a supporter of kynane of makedonia, he was a general of thracian origin. he was the private secretary of philip ii and alexandros iii, and was firmly loyal to the argead house. he initially insisted that kleopatra of epiros take the crown, but after she refused both the makedonian throne and his hand in marriage, eumenes sought to fight for kynane ’ s right to rule. interestingly, at the battle of byzantion, not far from his home in kardia, he managed to narrowly escape death and escaped thanks to the help of the thracians living nearby. he would return to fight again on the behalf of kynane of makedonia and philotas. formerly one of the bodyguards of alexandros iii : upon the death of that basileus, parmenion gave him governorship of paphlagonia. he would side with parmenion ’ s son philotas against kassandros. he mustered an army of 15, 000 infantry and 2, 000 cavalry for a planned invasion of thrace, where he gained the support of the getae doubling the size of his army. he won several victories in thrace against lysimachos, but died from an unknown illness during his march to pella.


a planned invasion of thrace, where he gained the support of the getae doubling the size of his army. he won several victories in thrace against lysimachos, but died from an unknown illness during his march to pella. subsequently, the getae announced independence from makedonia. a makedonian general who had served under both alexandros iii and philip iii, he both supported kynane and opposed perdikkas. it was under his command that perdikkas was defeated at the battle of byzantion with the help of eumenes after perdikkas attempted to have kynane killed. unfortunately, though, his valor and loyalty proved to be his own downfall. kassandros, smelling the weakness of eumenes ’ forces in the bloody aftermath of byzantion, defeated him at the battle of oisyme in 316 b. e. ( 323 b. c. ), where eumenes was captured and sentenced to death by crucifixion on the battle site. it was from there that kassandros gathered his generals, and made a final attempt to defeat his adversaries. he sent a massive fleet across the aegean, where he met his ally krateros at smyrna. a close friend of philotas, he was one of alexandros iii ’ s bodyguards at his death in 324 b. e. ( 333 b. c. ) at issos. he, naturally, supported philotas, and fought valiantly at the battle of smyrna in 315 b. e. ( 322 b. c. ), which would be the final battle of the war. he was present at the signing of the treaty of lesbos, which finally brought peace within the kingdom. the air was hot and smelled like death and shit. demetrios ’ arms were weary from holding the pike in his hand for so long, watching as man after man was skewered and fell to the ground dead in front of him. kassandros ’ forces were beginning to flee to their ships. perhaps victory was possible, perhaps these men would live to fight another day. the sandy beaches were red with blood, bodies were being washed out to sea. at the head of the army, riding her black stallion, kynane was almost singing. in many ways, she reminded demetrios of her half brother alexandros : brave to the point of insanity, yet admirable to the point of


head of the army, riding her black stallion, kynane was almost singing. in many ways, she reminded demetrios of her half brother alexandros : brave to the point of insanity, yet admirable to the point of godliness. demetrios let out a cry of jubilation when he saw the dust cloud rising from the inland. it was philotas. his cavalry had successfully flanked the enemy and were driving them back. he was not sure, but he thought he saw the makedonian standard held by kassandros rush onto a ship. kassandros himself was the first to turn and run, the first to flee. the enemy was repulsed ; kassandros was defeated. “ what now, sir? ” one of demetrios ’ men asked him. “ now, we chase them to europa. ” “ and fight more? ” “ hey, what ’ s that?! ” a voice in the army cried out. all eyes went to the sea. while kassandros ’ forces were beginning to take to the water, green sails were seen on the horizon. they were fast approaching, and with every passing minute, they became more and more numerous. cleary headed this way, it became apparent that they were the green sails of a fleet of triremes. “ ships from epiros! ” a man shouted. “ the epirotes are coming. ” demetrios took off his helmet and gawked. he was not alone. on the shoreline, kynane atop her steed stared, her open mouth turning into a smile. the epirote ships quickly cut off kassandros ’ escape, rounding them up like wolves to the flock. “ the love of the gods be with kleopatra, ” demetrios whispered. a makedonian nobleman and general, one of alexandros iii ’ s bodyguards ( as well as his lover ), he fought very personally against kassandros, who was well known to despise the argeads, particularly philip ii and alexandros iii. hephaistion, who was a much better diplomat than a general, is attributed as the author of the treaty of lesbos, which affectively ended the conflict for the makedonian throne in 315 b. e. ( 322 b. c. ). hephaistion could not help but smirk. former friends and present enemies sat humbled at a table. hepha


which affectively ended the conflict for the makedonian throne in 315 b. e. ( 322 b. c. ). hephaistion could not help but smirk. former friends and present enemies sat humbled at a table. hephaistion put the treaty before them. “ i think we all know what happens if you refuse to sign, ” seleukos said, his hand on his sheathed sword. ptolemaios, lysimachos, and krateros all sat with hunched heads. all of them were bruised and beaten, enduring the trials of imprisonment. kassandros was not present, however. hephaistion, having been the diplomat who had actually convinced kleopatra to assist, ( professing his great love for her brother, telling her that if kassandros continued hold power in makedonia that she too would be in danger because of her lineage, and of course promising assistance in later years against the illyrians all finally swayed her ) was among the epirote soldiers who boarded kassandros ’ ship. there, they found him, and all of his guards, dead, their wrists slit. “ submit to the rule of kynane as basilissa of makedonia and asia, ” philotas said, “ and philotas as regent and heir to the throne, turn over all your armies and all powers you hold over them, and you will be given a swift death. ” they each signed their name. hephaistion was very pleased indeed. chapter four : the early hellenistic period part four : the kassandrian war almost immediately after the death of philip iii in 319 b. e. ( 326 b. c. ), kassandros claimed the title of basileus ton basileion, king of kings, the official title of the ruler of makedonia. the army loyal to him burst into the halls of pella, seized the body, and kassandros himself, sword drawn, approached philip iii ’ s widow drypetis and informed her that she would be tortured and killed if she did not marry him immediately after the funeral and announce kassandros ’ rule of makedonia as king. the poor girl was left with little choice. kassandros saw personally to philip ’ s funeral and married drypetis within the same day. he made quick alliances with several of makedonia ’ s top generals, including ptolemaios and lysimacho


with little choice. kassandros saw personally to philip ’ s funeral and married drypetis within the same day. he made quick alliances with several of makedonia ’ s top generals, including ptolemaios and lysimachos. but kassandros was not through yet. he soon went about killing dissenters and political rivals in pella, including aristonous, one of philip iii ’ s former bodyguards and a friend of philotas, and several of the remaining argeads, including thessalonike, and attempted to have kynane and her daughter euridike assassinated as well. fortunately for them, these plans were intercepted. kynane and her daughter escaped the wrath of kassandros, and found refuge in lydia, where they were met by the one person just as upset by all of this trouble in pella as kynane : philotas. upon hearing the news of kassandros ’ ascent to the throne, philotas quickly made it known that he would not support a usurper and a murderer ( thus sparking the rumors that kassandros played a hand in the death of philip iii ). now that a political rival was safely under his protection in makedonian held anatolia, philotas contested that kassandros was a false ruler and that kynane was the rightful ruler of makedonia. several generals flocked beneath her banner, many of whom had been friends with philotas beforehand and had fought with him and his father in syria, but kynane also gained the support of the very influential general perdikkas. perdikkas was perhaps kynane ’ s strongest ally in europe at the time. he wasted no time to assemble an army and challenge the young and very ambitious kassandros. however, kassandros ’ forces simply outnumbered those that perdikkas was able to muster in europe. when the two armies met at the battle of aegae ( the former capital of makedonia ), perdikkas was forced to retreat. however, there was a ray of light for perdikkas during the battle. a talented cavalry commander by the name of seleukos distinguished himself, saving the entire left flank with his quick thinking. perdikkas promoted him to the commander of the companion cavalry with just enough time to spare to escape into thrace, where the army made its way to the sea, and cross over to anatolia to join


entire left flank with his quick thinking. perdikkas promoted him to the commander of the companion cavalry with just enough time to spare to escape into thrace, where the army made its way to the sea, and cross over to anatolia to join philotas. kassandros wasted no time while the momentum was still his. in the fall of 319 b. e. ( 326 b. c. ) he split his army in four. lysimachos was to stay and consolidate europe, making sure the thracian tribes were well under the makedonian foot. peithon was sent with an army of 20, 000 infantry, 3, 000 cavalry, and 6, 000 celtic mercenaries to invade syria. he also sent an army under ptolemaios to cross the aegean sea. ptolemaios landed in rhodes with an army of 25, 000 infantry, 4, 000 cavalry, and 5, 000 dardanian mercenaries. then kassandros himself crossed the aegean with an army of 35, 000 infantry, 5, 000 cavalry, and 2, 000 illyrian mercenaries. kassandros landed his army in ephesos. his plan was to use this three - pronged attack to quickly and affectively defeat his opponents. peithon was very successful. landing in byblos, peithon worked his way down the coast in a not dissimilar was to philotas, taking city after city for kassandros. he actually managed to take the city of tyre for makedonia after a long siege in 318 b. e. ( 325 b. c. ). he was doing so well, in fact, that he was confident that he could invade egypt ( which had just secured independence from the persians ) in the name of makedonia. however, his motives were clearly not selfless. apparently, peithon planned to make himself the de facto ruler of egypt as a satrap, but doubted that kassandros would be able to exert much control over peithon from far away pella. word reached kassandros of this treachery, and fearing peithon ’ s success as well as his ambition, had him assassinated early in 317 b. e. ( 324 b. c. ). his army was subsequently handed over to krateros who kassandros had convinced to join him after marrying him to his sister phila the previous year. ptolemaios and kassandros,


( 324 b. c. ). his army was subsequently handed over to krateros who kassandros had convinced to join him after marrying him to his sister phila the previous year. ptolemaios and kassandros, however, had much more trouble in their fighting. after taking rhodes, ptolemaios invaded lycia and made his way to the greek city of side. there perdikkas met him with a reinvigorated and rejuvenated army supported by meleagros ’ army. ptolemaios was beat back and forced to retreat. however, they were unable to capture ptolemaios, and he managed to sail back with the bulk of what was left of his army to rhodes, and then to ephesos where he was able to meat back up with kassandros. kassandros took ephesos, and then worked his way down the coast, taking miletos and halicarnassos before being pushed back to ephesos by philotas, who used his military experience and prowess to out maneuver kassandros with ease. however, after reuniting with ptolemaios, kassandros was able to defeat philotas at sardis and pushed inland along the old persian royal road. it is believed that this is around the time that he convinced krateros to jump ship. krateros wasted no time, and made fast allies with the newly independent babylonians, offering them control of kappadokia and pontos ( both areas the makedonians didn ’ t control at that time ) for their assistance. the babylonians, eager to revive their ancient glory, obliged, and in 318 b. e. ( 325 b. c. ) sent an army under their new king ekurzakir i into eastern anatolia where they laid siege to tarsos. the city was relieved the next year by an army under the leadership of philotas ’ younger brother nikanor. the babylonians were repelled, but they soon met up with krateros in phoenicia ( after peithon had been assassinated ). in the meantime, kassandros and ptolemaios fought philotas and kynane in phrygia. philotas was this time able to defeat them, and had the usurper on the run back to the sea. kassandros ’ army found refuge in bithynia, and crossed back over to europe by the beginning of 317


. philotas was this time able to defeat them, and had the usurper on the run back to the sea. kassandros ’ army found refuge in bithynia, and crossed back over to europe by the beginning of 317 b. e. ( 324 b. e. ) where he was able to reinforce his troops. after ousting kassandros ( though not all of his allies ) from anatolia, philotas proposed to kynane ’ s beautiful young daughter euridike. the proposal was accepted, but much to the dismay of perdikkas. he would wait for the right moment to make his move. in the following months, kynane ’ s supporters made plans to invade europe and cross the hellespont. this, however, was not the first time this occurred. on the onset of the war, in early 318 b. e. ( 325 b. c. ) leonnatos, the governor of paphlagonia, mustered an army of 15, 000 infantry and 2, 000 cavalry to invade thrace. there he gained the support of the getae and doubled the size of his army. he defeated lysimachos as odessos, and worked his way through thrace, pushing lysimachos into a corner. but lysimachos got very lucky when leonnatos fell suddenly ill on their march to pella, and died. the getae disbanded from his army, claiming independence, and lysimachos soon defeated what was left of leonnatos ’ army. however, the plans for kynane to cross the hellespont were definitely more well supplied, well timed, and well planned than that of leonnatos. she, accompanied by perdikkas, his brother alketas and their army. they crossed into europe in the summer of 317 b. e. ( 324 b. c. ), and it was there and then that perdikkas ’ plan unfolded. pedikkas, upset over philotas marriage to euridike, claimed that kynane had been corrupted, and was no longer suitable to rule makedonia. he had his brother alketas attempt to murder her. however, kynane, skilled in the ways of combat, was able to escape with the forces loyal to her ( including the young leader of the companion cavalry, seleukos ) into the nearby city of byzantion. perdikkas promptly laid


were finding out very fast that they could not depend on darius to protect them. egypt was the first to officially break bonds with persia in 321 b. e. ( 329 b. c. ). after seeing the makedonian army under philotas march through and conquer syria, phoenicia, and palestine in little more than a year, the egyptians had good reason to think that they were next. the satrap of egypt mazaces declared himself pharaoh of egypt, and established the short - lived 32nd dynasty of egypt. he rallied the egyptian army and was ready to fight off a makedonian invasion that never came. babylonia and armenia both broke off from persia two years later in 319 b. e. ( 326 b. c. ), but in very different ways. armenia took the more traditional route of the local satrap simply declaring himself king, and not paying taxes or tribute to the king of kings in parsa. orontes iii made armenia independent without much bloodshed. but along the river purattu, the banks and beaches of the god - river were red with blood. a rebellion broke out in babylon in which the city declared itself independent under the leadership of a nobleman named sin - nasir, who would later be crowned ekurzakir i. swiftly, he gathered an army, and marched on the satrapy of assyria, killing the satrap in assur and any imperial troops who would not surrender. made bold by the dream of restoring babylonia to its ancient glory, ekurzakir i became an ally of kassandros during the makedonian civil war, hoping to acquire lands in kappadokia and syria. his men fought fiercely by all accounts, but were defeated in 316 b. e. ( 323 b. c. ) and ousted from makedonian held lands. the war was not a complete loss for ekurzakir however. what syrian lands that had not been taken by the makedonians now were under babylonian control, and with a little propaganda, the third babylonian kingdom was born into the favor of the gods and achieved victory wherever they fought! medes under the tribal cadusii ( 317 b. e ), parthia under phrataphernes ( 317 b. e. ), and bactria under bessus ( 315 b. e. ) all broke off and created their own kingdoms, and left the once mighty and strong persian empire a weak and pathetic shell of its former self. darius iii was murdered in