Galkinasus Seleucos was happy to be back in Antioch. The large, prosperous Assyrian capital had been founded generations earlier by Galkinasus' distant ancestor, Antiochus III "the Great". Antiochus reigned over a mighty empire. But the years had not been kind to the Seleucid Kingdom. First Asia Minor was lost to the upstart Kingdom of Asia. Then, the Parthians moved in from the east and snatched a number of Seleucid provinces. Now, the Kingdom comprised little more than Syria and Mesopotamia. As a consequence, it was often called "Assyria". Galkinasus scoffed at the diminutive name. The Seleucid Kingdom was the true successor-state of Alexander the Great's Empire! The King smiled and whispered to himself, "one step at a time! But the road to glory starts in my reign."

The Seleucid King and his counselors considered themselves far wiser than the impetuous young Asian monarch, Alujah. Unlike the idiot Asian leader, the Assyrian monarch and his ministers understood the precarious position of all the eastern kingdoms. Rome's might overshadowed the entire Mediterranean! It was not wise to pull the lion's tale. No... for now, attention should be focused elsewhere. Fortunately, the Romans were inexperienced in the affairs of the east. Galkinasus chuckled when he recalled the Romans' attempt to fool him with a forged document. They were entirely unconvincing, and they underestimated the extent of his own intelligence network. The Assyrians were watching the Asians like hawks, and it took only a very short time for Galkinasus to realize that a Roman delegation was approaching the Asian King "in secret".

Galkinasus did not fear the diplomatic prowess of the Romans. But he dreaded their swords. And he feared the plots of the devious Greek politicians and merchants. Fortunately, at the moment, he did not have to face Rome. Thank the gods!

Astute Seleucid diplomacy had secured a non-aggression pact with the Parthians. Fortunately for Galkinasus, the Parthians were engaged fighting the Kushans far to the east. And Asia was pulling the Roman lion's tail in Thracia... this was a widow of opportunity for Assyria!

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Rhodes
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In the city of Rhodes, Theodosis and several prominent Greek dignitaries welcomed a guest: Tronicese Elon Beth-Karon. The Hellenized Jew was a wealthy merchant, with bases of operation in Antioch, Alexandria, and Cyprus. Beth-Karon was accompanied by Grescus Keleogenikos, a wealthy Cypriot nobleman. The men exchanged greetings, then began to confer.

Keleogenikos initiated the discussion. "Friends, I have good news. As you know, the Cappadocian king maintains absurdly high tariffs on all trade goods. This makes trade with Tarsus unprofitable. But the unfortunate situation is about to change..."

Theodosis frowned. "Are we reaching some kind of deal with the Cappadocian King? "

Beth-Karon smiled. "No, my friend. Very soon, that worthless King Peliandar will be a non-entity. Fortunately, my good Lord Galkinasus is favorably disposed toward his Greek and Cypriot brothers. If have ensured that your ships will be permitted to trade in Tarsus... with absolutely no tariff. Meanwhile, all Egyptian ships will be excluded."

Keleogenikos the Cypriot nodded. "You see, my friends, Tarsus is about to come under... new management. And thanks to this fine gentleman..." he nodded at Beth-Karon, "we will be in a position to profit! Now consider..."

Aphinos, Archon of Rhodes, interrupted the Cypriot. "What do you expect to gain? Why would you invite competition into Tarsus? Why not monopolize the trade yourself, along with your Phoenician comrades?"

"I am from Judea, sir." Corrected Beth-Karon. "And of course, there are two sides to every bargin. ‘Quid pro quo', as you Romans would say!" He sipped from a goblet of wine, and continued. "I require that your naval forces assist and protect my ships as they pass through the Aegean. I request your assistance in dealing with the Romans. And, finally, I want access to markets beyond the Bosporus."

The Greeks considered the offer. Theodosis said, "So, the Seleucids are invading Cappadocia. That's no surprise! You want us to open our markets to your merchants in exchange for free trade with Tarsus? It seems like a lopsided deal. For Alexandria, maybe. But Tarsus? We will still have to compete with Assyrian, Phoenician, and Roman merchants. Unless, of course, you can convince your King to ban Assyrian merchants from trading in the city. And I doubt, dear sir, that the King will accept such terms."

Beth-Karon smiled at the Greeks, but inwardly frowned. It was time for some more incentive.

"My brothers, of course I have some additional proposals. Now, let us discuss Ephesus..."

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Meanwhile...
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Cappadocia was a very young nation. For years, it had been claimed by both Asia and Assyria. Parthia also coveted northern and central Cappadocia. Throughout most of the preceding century, the regions of Eastern Anatolia hosted a series of wars between the competing powers. Finally, in a diplomatic agreement between the Seleucid King Goricos (Galkinasus's father) and the Asian King Answar II (Alujah's grandfather), a Kingdom of Cappadocia was created as a "buffer state". The new Kingdom was in a horrible strategic position. It claimed land from Trapezus in the north to Tarsus in the south, but it was surrounded by potential enemies on all sides. Cappadocian independence was the product of a balance of a balance of power. Neither Asia, nor Assyria, nor Parthia dared to invade the weak Kingdom for fear of retaliation from the other two. King Peliandar of Cappadocia understood this fact of diplomacy. His foreign policy rotated around maintaining a delicate balance between his nation's powerful neighbors. He was successful for several decades... until King Galkinasus decided to tip the scales.

The Assyrian army moved rapidly into Cappadocian territory. The two-pronged offensive drove north, toward Melitene, and west toward Tarsus. King Galkinasus personally led the southern flank of his army. Tarsus was the principal capitol of Cappadocia, and it was the invaders' main objective. The conquering army's moral was high, and the troops were well-equipped.

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Tarsus
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Residing in his Tarsus palace, King Peliandar was paralyzed with indecision. He knew that he didn't have the forces to repel the Assyrian invasion alone. Finally, after the prodding of his counselors, he sent out pleas for help- one to Parthia, one to Asia, and one to Cyprus. Then, he sat lethargically, waiting for the Assyrians to arrive.

"My Lord, please, you must give us orders!" Implored his army commander, Pargosio. "Shall we fortify the city? But there are other options. I recommend that you withdraw the entire court to Trapezus."

Peliander moaned. Neither option was particularly attractive. He deplored the thought of retreat. But he also understood that his small army could never hold Tarsus against the invading Assyrians. Finally, he submitted to his commander's advise. "Very well. We leave the city at first light tomorrow."

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Two days later
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A jubilant King Galkinasus led a column of his elite Royal Guard into Cappadocia's capital city. "This is a proud day for the Seleucid Kingdom!" he said to himself. Galkinasus was not young, but he felt the vigor of youthful blood in his veins. One step at a time... yes, this was a great step toward empire. He planned on establishing a permanent government in the city. These were not temporary conquests.

The people of Tarsus were apathetic; they had no particular loyalty to Peliandar and his cronies. The city Councilors greeted the Seleucid King as neither conqueror nor liberator. He was a new master- nothing more, nothing less.

Galkinasus "graciously" announced that he would maintain the Council as the primary governing body of all civil affairs. Then, he settled down for a night of comfort in the Cappadocian King's palace.

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Headquarters of Asian Forces, Byzantium
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When Alujah heard the news of the Assyrian attack on Cappadocia, he was furious. "First they leave me here in Thrace, then they grab some land for themselves? Galkinasus, that treacherous snake! I'll have his head on a stake!"

The Asian King's officers and counselors winced. Their young lord was very angry. Only General Hasefine dared to approach the King. "Your Majesty, we must withdraw from Thrace. We must place all forces on our eastern border with Cappadocia, in order to halt possible Assyrian aggression."

Alujah shouted, "No! How dare you suggest that I simply abandon my newest domain! Idiot, don't you realize that we cannot show weakness before the Romans? They will exploit our cowardice. I will be no coward. We leave the army in Thrace. But fear not... I shall return to Asia in person and form a new army. I'll issue a Royal Decree ordering conscription of all able-bodied men. We will hold our land against all enemies."

Hasefine bowed. "As you wish, My Lord." But his emotionless face and tone concealed a deep feeling of contempt for his monarch.

King Alujah began to dictate a letter to the Royal scribe.

"Dearest Cassandra,

Know that you are always welcome in my court, as one of my people. I value your wit, your intelligence, and your beauty. I am preparing to lead my nation against great adversary. I have instructed my priests to offer sacrifice in the temple in your honor. My men are brave and will overcome the enemy. May the gods bless you!

Alujah"

The scribe could hardly keep a straight face as he sealed the letter. It was disjointed, a short ramble from the King to some Roman Senator. How peculiar...


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Two weeks later
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Galkinasus was pleased. His armies had conquered most of southern Cappadocia, as well as the central city of Melitene. Peliander of Cappadocia was cowering to the north in his last major city, Trapezus. Now, it was time to watch and wait for Alujah's next move.

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By: GM (QMA) and Others?
AD 29