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| The Gordion Knot Is Cut |
They have a number of options open to them - to the north there is the fascination of the Gordion Knot and the citadel of Ancyra. To the east the fortified cities of the southern coast, Side and Tarsus. Intelligence indicates that all these are more heavily fortified. At present Alexander has no siege train but is going to need one, as these fortresses make Sardis look like a picnic.
Note: you can make the campaign harder by trading in new circumstances for additional victory points. I opt for the Persian fleet's blockade and Harpalus to make life a bit more financially tougher for Alexander. Alexander will be getting 15 Gold every turn from his cities in the west. These obstacles will help him to pick up an extra 17 VPs at this stage of the campaign.
Note: Harpalus was a boyhood friend of Alexander's. He was lame and therefore did not take part in the military operations in Asia. Alexander tasked him with managing the finances of his growing empire in Asia. Described as a charming rogue, he built a reputation as an embezzler on a truly astronomical scale. He was eventually assassinated in Crete at the start of the Succession Wars, possibly by Pausanias.
Alexander's options shape up as either to attack east along the coast aginst Side immediately or head north into the central highlands and go for Gordion and Ancyra. Tarsus lies further east but Alexander will need a port, as re-supply in this region is going to be tougher. Persian naval operations will further complicate this.
333 BC Early Spring: Alexander does not want to loiter in Lycia. The longer he does, the readier the Persians will be for him. Speed is always an advantage in this campaign. There is, however, no siege train, which could be a problem. And Darius is on the move with a massive army approaching from the east.
The decision is taken to attack Side first to avoid losing men in the long march up to Gordion. Alexander wants one friendly port behind him before he heads into the interior. 2 Gold is spent to bring the army up to full strength before leaving Lycia.
As if to reinforce the point, the Persians beef up their garrisons in Side and Tarsus. Alexander's spies begin talks about the possible surrender of Ancyra without a fight. The clink of Macedonian gold speaks volumes.
Alexander spends 4 Gold (15) to move his army into Side. No effort is made to negotiate with the defenders. The city is heavily fortified and at the last minute some Persian reinforcements in the form of some chariots arrive by sea.
Alexander sets a trap for the defenders rather than go for a full frontal attack. In a cunning ruse he lures the defenders out into an ambush and manages to wipe them out (Note: he played his trap token). Side surrenders to the Macedonians. A garrison is placed in the port and it is closed to the Persian fleet. It was a good use of the stratagem as it preserves Alexander's forces. Alexander receives 3 Glory for taking Side (6).
The question now is whether to delay in Side to build a siege train or push on to Gordion. Alexander decides to head north into the highlands. He marches into Phrygia first for 2 Gold (13) and then on towards Gordion for another 2 Gold (11). Luckily the army seems to be marching cheaply for a change.
Alexander reaches Gordion where, apart from cutting the famous Gordion Knot, he also receives a prophecy at the shrine there - "Let go of me, you are unbeatable." He needs to capture and govern another pivotal area before early autumn. Ancyra looks like it is a candidate. There is no garrison there yet, so he decides to move quickly and sieze it before the Persians can get troops into Ancyra. He picks up 2 Gold but spends 10 Gold getting there (3). He also acquires some more Glory.
It is time to give the army a bit of a rest. Alexander appoints a governor in the city. He also collects 2 Gold in loot and a further 24 in revenues (adjusted for Harpalus' sticky fingers, of course!). This leaves him with 29 in the treasury. 3 Glory are added for taking Ancyra (and cutting the Gordion Knot!) Alexander has completed the Gordian Prophecy early, so receives another 3 Glory. This also allows him to level up to 4th. He has finally surpassed his father in glory and competence. The legend is gathering steam.
Alexander spends 6 Glory on adding the veteran commander Parmenion to his staff. He also decides to build a siege train in anticipation of needing to attack Tarsus (-1 Gold). Given the expense of keeping the army supplied up here in the wilderness, he is going to need most of his treasury just to get back down to Tarsus! And somewhere east of the Cilician Gates Darius is massing his army...
End of turn
- Glory: 6
- Gold: 28
- Re-rolls: 1
I'm enjoying this!
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