King Alujah of Asia Minor sat in the capital palace at Pergamon, young and brash and full of energy not knowing what to do with himself, it was ‘thumb twiddling, mind numbing boringness’ in his view until a scout came riding into the palace grounds. The scout rushed up the steps to the palace with the utmost haste in search of King Alujah. Instead King Alujah found him saying… (KING ALUJAH) – “Scout what is it?” Looking at the scout with a scowl on his face.
(SCOUT) – “Sire, I have good news for you, the Romans have once again gone to war against themselves, Greece is totally undefended.” The scout said.
(KING ALUJAH) – “Fantastic, now it is my time I will invade the Roman Empire and take Greece for myself, which my grandfather tried to do so many years ago.” Puffing out his chest…
(GENERAL HASEFINE) – “Sire may I be as bold to say, that we alone could not hope to hold the Greece and Macedon provinces, once the Romans had finished slaughtering each other they will turn on us with full force. We must ally with King Galikanasus of Assyria and persuade him to join our cause, this way we have a sufficient chance of success sire.” He says while bowing in front of King Alujah.
(KING ALUJAH) – “Yes Hasefine you are right… (King Alujah looks over to his right) scribe take this message down and hand it to the scout who will ride to Antioch with all haste…King Galikanasus of Assyria, a great opportunity has presented it self to us in the form of another Roman Civil War, we have long hated the Romans, now lets take our chance. I suggest that we both attack Greece and Macedonia and hold there to strengthen our position. This is also a great chance for plunder and loot, apparently there is a great amount on Crete waiting to be shipped back to Rome but have been forgotten. I say lets take our chance…King Alujah of Asia.”
With that the scribe stood up and handed the letter to the scout who went on his way to the Assyrian capital. Meanwhile, the King ordered his royal caravan to prepare for movement. He was going to visit the Assyrian Court in person. Bodyguards, courtiers, servants, slaves, and concubines gathered the king belongings. At a frantic pace they loaded the materials required for this great journey. He ordered that word of his movements must be kept silent. For if the enemy were to find out about the plan, the element of surprise would be lost. The caravan advanced out of the capital. The king’s servants traveled in the vanguard with his bodyguard. Meanwhile, his light Calvary of bodyguards advanced ahead of the column patrolling for bandits and setting up rest camps along the way. The party moved quickly through the Kingdom of Cappadocia, which was weak and fearful of the power of its western neighbor. After many days travel the king arrived in Syria. Upon his arrival, the king greeted the local magistrate, who provided an escort to the great city of Antioch.

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Antioch
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King Alujah arrived in Antioch shortly after noon. The heat was almost unbearable, but the sight was magnificent. Antioch was the third largest city in the Mediterranean world, behind only Rome and Alexandria. The Asian king was quickly escorted to the huge Palace of the King of Assyria. "Assyria" was a strange name, really, for the Middle Eastern Kingdom had very little in common with the ancient Assyrian empire. Rather, it was a Hellenistic domain which had emerged from the fragments of Alexander the Great's Empire. Assyria was governed by the Seleucid dynasty - it was commonly known as the Seleucid Kingdom. The once-mighty state had lost ground to the Parthians in the east over the last two hundred years, but it remained a potent force.

King Galikanasus of Assyria was a shell of the man he once was. He was thin and old but in his heart he was still a fighter. His grey-silver hair and beard made him look very authoritative and full of wisdom. The man standing next to him was his opposite. King Alujah of Asia Minor was a young, broad, athletic man who looked almost prematurely triumphant. Next to King Galikanasus stood a man younger than himself though not as youthful as King Alujah. This was General Tekinatus, though it was already clear from his uniform that he was a military man. He was in his thirties but look a little fatigued. Another man stood by King Alujah’s side. General Hasefine was very much like Tekinatus but older and clean-shaven. King Galikanasus spoke: “Then it is agreed, I shall gather an army and lead it to Nicomedia. The Cappadocians will allow passage through Cilicia. From there, we will pass through Anatolia until we have reached the city. Your officials shall arrange for my troops to be supplied.” “And then we will cross the Bosphorus and gain the support of the Thracian Tribal Leaders” added King Alujah, nodding.

The Syrian sun was warm and the sound of silence surrounded the men, except for the distant shouts of merchants and citizens in the Antioch markets. “General Tekinatus, would you help an old man to his horse?” King Galikanasus held onto the reigns while Tekinatus gave him a helping hand. The two appeared to be quite close. King Alujah and General Hasefine both mounted their horses. “Farewell, brother... until we meet again.” Said King Galikanasus as the men rode off in opposite directions. Later, after the departure of Alujah and the Asians, Galikanasus consulted with his senior advisors. Hercleanos, the King's First Counsellor of State, spoke first. "Sire, please recall that the Romans have already approached us diplomatically. We assured Emperor Tiberius that we would not attack the Roman provinces! And what are the chances of success? We might succeed initially, but in the end.... they will come back and crush us."

The Assyrian army consisted of several divisions infantry at the head of the marching column, and more in the rear. Also included was a contingent in the middle assisted by archers. The cavalry completed the force. The baggage train was organized with artisans, carpenters, engineers, and blacksmiths. Their main purpose was to repair and build all equipment needed for the march. They were followed by merchants, who brought the delights of women and wine too the soldiers. The army passed through Cilicia and Anatolia without incident, arriving in Nicomedia ahead of schedule.

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Nicomedia
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Tekinatus, commander of the Assyrian forces, met with King Alujah of Asia and the Asian General Hasefine in the city citadel.
(GENERAL TEKINATUS) - "Your Majesty, I bring greetings from my noble King Calikanasus Seleucos! We stand firm as friends and allies."
(KING ALUJAH) - "Hail Tekinatus! Welcome, welcome... I thank my noble brother Calikanasus for his eternal friendship."
(GENERAL TEKINATUS) - "We are always happy to assist. However, there are a few conditions that we must discuss. First, we will not attack the Romans. Their empire is too powerful, and it would be suicidal to assult their sovereign empire. Furthermore, I have heard that your navy is inferior to the combined fleets of the Athenians, Rhodians, and other Greek states... all Roman allies."
(KING ALUJAH) - "Well... yes, yes that is true, so we will pass through Thrace as I discussed earlier! Why shouldn't we attack the Roman dogs, now at their moment of weakness? This may be our last chance to stem their advance eastward! And my Kingdom is, I fear, the next target of Roman aggression."
(GENERAL TEKINATUS) - "The Romans are too powerful. However, the civil war is a temporary distraction that will allow you to establish a foothold in Thracia. This will enhance your security, my friend. It will provide a strategic position for your armies. In exchange for our assistance to you, we expect you to provide certain favor in the future. King Galikanasus will be arriving soon. We will consult again after he arrives."
The Assyrian General bowed, and departed from the King's makeshift throne room.

About a week later, King Galikanasus arrived at Nicomedia. He was immediately escorted into an audience with King Alujah. The two monarchs discussed the current geopolitical situation. The Seleucid Assyrian King refused to compromise on his new terms: there would be no combined attack on Roman territory. However, Assyria was prepared to assist Asia in conquering and securing Thracia. Thrace was a satellite region of the Rome, but it was not an official province of the Empire...

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Byzantium
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Pocaeos, Prince-Councillor of Byzantium, frowned as he read the dispatch. He turned to his deputy, Agnesto, and said, "It seems that the Asians are massing forces in Nicomedia. Our spies report that they will cross the Bosphorus in the immediate future." Agnesto stroked his chin and inquired, "Do we have numbers?" "The dispatch says that there are tens of thousands, but we don't have any specific information. However, we do know that the Seleucids have added their numbers to the Asian army."

Agnesto's eyes opened wide. "Assyrians, allied with the Asians? And they plan to attack us!" Pocaeos nodded. "Yes, the situation is grim. Obviously we will not resist. The Romans are fighting a Civil War, they will not be able to help us. However, if we could convince the Allied Fleet to intercept the Seleucid-Asian army as they try to cross the Bosphorus. Otherwise, I am prepared to surrender the city to the invaders."

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Athens
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As Theodosis walked into the Council Chamber, the Athenian Magistrates stood and extended a warm greeting. "Greetings, friend!" exclaimed one Athenian dignitary. Theodosis smiled and expressed a polite half-bow to the Council. Although he was a native of Thebes, he had gained the confidence and loyalty of the major cities of Greece, including Athens and Corinth. He was a wealthy and powerful man- clever, diplomatic, and prudent. He had been recently selected "Proto-Archon", or First Magistrate, of the Aegean League (Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Rhodes, and some other minor Greek city-states under Roman rule or protection). He owned several large private fleets, but he always worked with fellow merchants (potential competitors) for the common good of Greek trade. Of course, this brought wealth and prosperity to the coastal cities. His popularity worried some local Roman officials; this was one man who could unite the Greek cities against the Empire. But Theodosis was not a radical revolutionary. He understood that the city-states could never remain both united and independent. History displayed time and time again that multipolis alliances always crumbled as soon as the immediate foreign threat passed. Anyway, the chances of maintaining permanent independence from Rome were very slim. Therefore, Theodosis prefered to maintain a rich, peaceful Greece under the relatively lax governance of a foreign empire.

The Athenian magistrates began to address the Thebian magnate. "Good Lord Theodosis, we have a problem. We have received dispatches from Byzantium reporting that the Asians and Seleucid Syrians are preparing to invade Thrace with a combined army. Our spies have confirmed these reports; they are assembling in Nicomedia. Should we dispatch our fleet to the Bosphorus?" Theodois considered the options. "Yes, my friends, I am aware of the Asian military activities. I also have heard that the Council of Rhodes is fearful of a possible Asian attack on their island. I think that we should keep the Allied Fleet in the Aegean, at least for the moment. If they are going to cross the Bosphorus, they have probably crossed already. I do not think that they will attack Greece. It would be eventual suicide. Also, we must consider the Romans. They are distracted at the moment, but the Civil War is nearing an end. Also, consider the 'allies'. Asia and Assyria... they have a long record of hostility." Athenian Councillor Hokansos reponded, "But it seems that they have allied in some common cause. Perhaps this is an attempt to stem Rome's slow-but-certain advance?" Theodosis smiled. "No, honorable Councillor. You see, the eastern peoples are like children. They fight among themselves, always, while ignoring the greater powers looming on the horizon. The days of Asia are limited, and an invasion of Thrace will only put them in a more vulnerable position. The eastern peoples admire our great civilization, language, and culture. They wish to be like us. But they also attempt to copy our attempts at national unity... and I must admit, we haven't set a very good example!" Some of the Council members frowned at this light-hearted jab at Greek history, but most of the magistrates laughed. It was true!

After a short period of brief debate, the Council of Athens voted to support Theodosis' proposal. The poular politician had already gained the official confidence of Corinth and Thebes; he had also consulted with a delegation from Rhodes. Therefore, his decision was official. The Allied Fleet would be placed on alert, but it would remain in the Aegean. Meanwhile, the Athenian diplomat Ioconsicles (Theodosis' trusted friend) was dispatched to the Bosphorus as envoy plenipotentiary of the Aegean League. Also, in a highly irregular move, Theodosis composed a letter directly to Rome, bypassing the Roman governor:

"Glorious Emperor, Esteemed Senate, and Honorable People of Rome,

From your friends in the Aegean League: Greetings! We are obliged to inform you that the Asians and Seleucid Assyrians are assembling a joint force in Nicomedia. They are poised to launch an invasion of Thrace, although we have no direct knowledge of their intentions. With the grace of the gods, their will not be an invasion of Macedonia. Our fleet is prepared to intercept any naval movements across the Aegean, but we do not have the means to prevent a crossing of the Bosphorus.

Your Loyal Servant,
Theodosis, Proto-Archon of the Aegean League"

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By: Augustus Trunicus Agrippa, Agrippa Tiberius Julianus, GM (QMA), and maybe others...