The Seleucid Army - A Historical Gamer's Guide [Part Three]

The Seleucid Army
A Historical Gamer's Guide

Part 3

Antiochos II

by Criag Tyrrell

The second ruler of the Seleucid house, Antiochos I, died in 262BC, having reigned for nineteen years, at the age of 64. His reign had seen the solidification of the Seleucid kingdom following the murder of his father, its founder, the introduction and eventual semi-containnent of the Galatians in the intcrior of Asia Minor, and lastly the rise of Pergemum as a rival for control of western Asia Minor.

With the execution of his older brother Seleucus, Antiochos I's son Antiochus took over as co-ruler with his father around 265BC. Upon the death of his father in 262BC, at the ye of 24, he became Antiochos II.

Antiochos II was in many respects a weak ruler, given to excessive bouts of drunkenness, and surrounding himself with very disreputable counselors. His foreign policy seemed an extension of that of his father. Although he patched up an understanding with Pergamum, recognizing its independence as a sort of junior ally. He strengthened his house's friendship with the Persian-influenced states of northern Asia Minor, marrying off one of his daughters to Ariarathes the heir of Kappadokia. as well as his sister to the son of Antigonos Gonatos of Macedonia.

The war with Ptolemaic forces over control of the coastal areas of Asia Minor continued unabated during the first part of his reign, though Antiochos II was able to regain control of two important coastal cities. Miletus and Ephesus. Hostilities also continued against the Northern League. with the city of Byzantium also becoming involved against Antiochos. It was probably in conjunction with this struggle that he crossed into Thrace and took the Thracian town of Cypsela, in the process adding numerous Thracians to his forces.

Finally, towards the end of Antiochos II's reign. we see a major realignment of tne major powers. The interminable war with the Ptolemaic kingdom is finally abandoned, and replaced with a close alliance. Antiochos II then proceeded to distance himself from his first wife, Laodice, and her children, replacing them with Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy. As her dowry she brought Cilicia and Pamphylia back within the Seleucid realm.

The two queens preceded to polarize the Seleucid realm - Laodice kept court and had great influence in Asia Minor, while Berenice settled into Antioch in Syria. Though affairs of state tied Antiochos II to Berenice, and he bore her a young son. But Laodice never gave up, and Antiochos still retained tremendous fondness for her. He was soon living back in Sardis with her. Ieaving Berenice and her young son alone in Antioch.

In 246BC, after ruling for 16 years, Antiochos II died suddenly at the age of 40. Contemporary opinion was that Laodice, unwilling to take the chance for a future reconciliation with Berenice and the consequent disinheritance of her children. took matters into her own hands with poison.

GUIDELINES FOR RECREATING THE ARMY OP ANTIOCHQS II ON THE TABLETOP:

The army of Antiochos (I) makes an inviting wargaming force. Following are some guidelines for recreating this force:

Historical Enemies: Conflict with the Northern League continued throughout much of Antiochos lI's reign. Their forces could be represented by a Bithynian army with Greek city state allies, or vice versa. Since the conflict widened to include Thrace as a battlefield, either force could include Thracian allies [Thracian - Book One]. The conflict with Ptolemaic Egypt continued throughout the early years of his reign [Ptolomaic - Bool: Two]. As much of the actual fighting occurred along the coastel plain of Asia Minor, either power could field allied contingents from the local Greek cities [Hellenistic Greek - Book Two].

In addition, confrontations were likely with foes throughout the length of his realm, including India [Mountain Indian. or Classical Indian - Book Two], Kappadakian [Ariarathrid Kappadokian - Book Two], the Galatians [IGalatian - Book Two], Armenia [Early Armenian - Book Two], the various Arab tribes and cities [Nabataean Arab, or Later Pre-lslamic Arab - Book Two], the Greek cities [Later Hoplite Greek, or Hellenistic Greek Book Two], the Skythians [Skythbn - Book One] and the various Thracian tribes [Thracian - Bokk One]. Macedonia of Antigonos Gonatos could easily have been an enemy [Macedonian Early Successor - Book Two], especially following the reconciliation and close alliance with Ptolemaic Egypt later in Antiochos II's reign. Although Antiochos II seems to have reachod an understanding with the Porgamene state [Attalid Pergamene - Book Two], confrontation was certainly possible throughout his reign.

Potential sub-generals : Little detail survives regarding the campaigns of Antiochos II, and the names of none of his commanders survive. Associated with bis court was a rather greasy character, Themison, who called himself a Macedonian but was more likely a Cypriot, and who bore the title Herakles of King Antiochos.

Potential Allies: Possible allies for his army include the Maeodonian army of Antigonos Gonatos [Macedonian Early Successor - Book Two], particularly during the Ptolemaic war, and those Bithynian tribes [Bithynian - Book Two] and Thracian tribes [Thracian - Book One] who allied with him against the Northern League [Bithynian - Book Two].

Civic militia cavalry or Tarantines Antiochos II benefitted from a highly developed system of military colonies and Greek cities placed around kingdom by Antiochos I. Up to 6 civic militia cavalry or Tarantines are available.

Elephants - tbe gradual loss of communications with India led to a decline in elephant numbers: 0-3 available

Theurophoroi had completely replaced peltasts by this time - they could be fielded as Reg Ax(S);