Atreid Expansion (175-200)

The lands of Western Mesopotamia, also known as Syria after the Assyrians who conquered it in the earliest days of its history, and Phrygia after those who conquered it more recently, have been settled by Hellenic colonists since the fall of Bidet ; since then, they have come under the control of various polities - the Archonate of Mesopotamia, the Hypsistianoi, the Western Hellenic Empire during Konstantinos Keraunos' great campaign, the Eastern Hellenic Empire during Iesous' irresistible conquests.

Now, at last, this land is ready for stability. Polykarpos has decreed the annexation of the coastal cities of Laodikeia and Tripolis, the backbones of the Phrygian Empire ; this should be greatly facilitated by the construction of a highway, several centuries ago, by the Hellenic and Phrygian Empires, as part of a deal to connect the developing regions of Phrygia with the thriving city of Antiokheia. Simultaneously, he has also decided to push the southern border southward, in order to reduce the salient status of our south-eastern border, and to protect the vital highway connecting Antiokheia to Ban, by granting it a more signficant buffer.

In order to translate his words into reality, Polykarpos has raised seven tagmata and sent them to occupy the coastal regions of Phrygia. An eighth tagma has been sent to occupy northern Phrygia (this task should be relatively simple, as there is not much of note in this land).

Each city will be granted its own arkhonate, and the hinterland will be split into several, larger arkhonates. They will be placed under the authority of the newly appointed Kosmarkhês of Phrygia, who will join the Kosmarkhai of Byzantion, Auros, Pontus, Kypros, Kilikia, Suemon, and Neapatria in the halls of the Synklêtos. The task of administration by Konstantinoupolis will be facilitated by the proximity of the new regions to Antiokheia, and their connection to the great city, which is directly controlled by the Emperor.

Map - a bit outdated (some cities missing, section of road missing - stretches all the way to Tripoli)