Securing Syria - Atreid Expansion (200-225 CE)

Previous expansion

The subjugation of most of Phrygia was quickly followed by the conquest of the remainder of the territory. In accordance with the Treaty of Laodikeia, which we have signed with the Egyptians, we will stop at the former border between the Phrygian Empire and the Djerai realm. This will be a military operation undertaken by eight tagmata. We expect little resistance, as these lands are populated overwhelmingly by Hellenes, with Djeran and Phrygian minorities. The tagmata will be composed of sarissa phalanges, heavy cavalry and heavy artillery ; local militiae will give way easily.

The Treaty of Artaxata, which we have signed with the Babylonians, stipulates that we will take over lands in the East of Phrygia, which were conquered by the Babylonians quite recently, until they found these lands quite difficult to govern - instead, they agreed to a peaceful transition of power from the Babylonian republic to the Atreid crown for the northernmost portion of this land, and the creation of a new independent state in the rest. In exchange for this, the Atreids will provide investment in the form of civil expertise for the Babylonians.

These lands will be annexed into the new Kosmos of Phrygia, led by one of the Emperor's cousins, Theodoros Atreides. He will be tasked with developing the infrastructure of this land, the fertility of which was famed when it formed part of the Bideti Kingdom ; this infrastructure will take the form of roads connecting the region to the rest of the Empire, as well as sewers and the like, which will improve the living conditions of the people. The construction of new cities and development of existing ones will be undertaken ; in particular, a new city will be constructed, Palmyra, to govern the Phrygian country countryside.

The integration of this lands will be good propaganda for the Emperor ; the lands of Phrygia, although not officially considered holy, remain the birthplace of Iesous ; thefore, controlling this land gives the Emperor more legitimacy and stokes Byzantine pride. Furthermore, the acquisition of Phrygia represents the acquisition of a valuable new breadbasket, that will ensure continued wealth for the Empire ; in particular, Phrygian corn will be sent to feed the ever-expanding cities of Konstantinoupolis, Antiokheia, and Trapezous.

This represents the conclusion of the Atreid Empire's southward expansion ; the control of all Phrygia has been the dream of successive rulers of the Queen of Cities since the time of Hippocrates. At last, the Emperor is free to look to the North ; and to begin the fortification of the South - fortifications which we hope will remain in place for centuries.

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