Gazetteer of The Ancient Empires Campaign
In The Region of Syria:
Caesaria Phillipi (Panium)
Located near the slopes of Mount Panion, near the cave-source of the River Jordan, Panium is a Roman client state town, under the protection of the Governor of Tyre. There are some interesting details to note here:
* The local people are most a mixture of Syrian, with some Nabataean and Parthian mixed in.
* There is an old mystery cult tradition dedicated to Pan, the Greek god, which goes back several centuries and was introduced through trade. This cult continues, though it is highly localized.
* Panium is often taken in warfare as a staging ground for conflicts between Rome and Parthia. It shows, and the local government is used to flexibility. The Roman protection has been a stabilizing force, luckily.
* (It will be given to Herod by Augustus as a gift, transfered over to Herod’s control, after efforts at peace are made. Date not exact).
Sidon
North of Tyre is the independent city-state of Sidon, the “Mother of Tyre” from old days. Sidon is a self-ruled republic, enjoying it’s current autonomous civic era due to the recognition of Pompey the Great. This won’t change until 20 bc. The city itself is comprised of two harbors, around which the main city is wrapped, an exposed bay to the south and a more protected basin in the north.
* Sidon is noted for its glassblowing industry, it’s astronomers (due to it’s long maritime history), and metalworkers.
* Famous greek philosophers such as Strabo are present during this time.
Tyre
An ancient and well-established city steeped in older Pheonician history, Tyre is poised for both inland trade routes and coastal trade along the Inner Sea. The bulk of Tyre is actually resting on the trapezoidal island off the coast, called Palaityros, the Old Tyre. Here the original phoenician kings plied the sea coasts for trade and war, and today it is the scene of a crowded, vast multi-story complex of houses and palatial estates surrounded by a great wall along the sea. The architecture is heavily romanized. The tall building regularly exceed the 70 foot limit imposed on Rome itself, and earthquakes, when they do happen, are devastating.
Tyre has two all-weather harbors, protected by breakwaters created from pudding stone quarries on the mainland. North Harbor is Sidonian Harbor, and South Harbor is Egyptian Harbor. From here, the popular exports of lebanon cedar, crimson dye from a local tree insect, and the ever popular Tyrian Purple, from the sacs of spiny shellfish in the coastal waters, are exported. Glass blowing, a new phenomenon, has also become a hot commodity in Tyre, with professional artisans of the trade in abundance.
Directly south of Palaityros is the Island of Herkules (Mequart of old), where can still be found an ancient Melquart temple now dedicated to Herkules. It is a popular place of worship for local Roman soldiers. Also on the island is a subteranean temple, abutting the old catacombs dating back to old phoenician times, in which a Mithraic temple resides, which itself dates back to earlier Persian occupation. This temple has developed a small but notable cult following, and will one day blossom in to the rest of the Roman heartland. Other temples in this district include the small but still active temple to Tyche (Astarte), and a civic temple to Jupiter and the roman pantheon, from which many local festivals are staged.
On the Palaityros main island can be found a great roman theatre, recently constructed and theheart of many plays, events, and debates. Nearby is the collondaded Roman Market, which contains a vast diverstity of wares and goods, from traders across the water and land, as well as the prized local exports. It is a bustling place. There are three small arenas and a chariot-racing ring, as well, which while not so grand as the arenas of the Roman mainland cities, are still worthy of the price of admission (should any ever be charged). These arenas are baptised in the name of Astarte, but the image of the goddess overlooking the center arena is that of Anahita, from Persian belief.
The mainland contains a sprawling swath of estates, farms, and smaller community groupings, as well as a local jewish population and the vast bulk of the syrian natives who can in all likelihood trace their ancestry back to the phoenician founders. A smaller immigrant population of Cappadocians, Bythinians, and Galatians, mostly connected to trade networks, can be found here as well. Just east of the coast is a great tell-mound, tell Ma’shuk, from which various secrets and other esoterica can be uncovered. Atop the mound, a radical group of reclusive persian immigrants dwell, who still practice the more sublime forms of zoroastrianism, albeit in secret.
Current profiles of local figures include the following:
Praetor of Syria: Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, (Fighter 14, Aristocrat 13; LN) conqueror of Syria, drove Mithradites and the Armenian forces out of the Syrian region in 63, and remains the general of the forces in Syria even as he becomes Triumvir. Later, Marcus Licinius Crassus, (Aristocrat 15, Wizard 4; NE) as of 60 b.c. begins to take an interest in Syria, and later travels there as the new governor. He’ll die in 53, at age 60, in a disastrous action against Parthia.
Governor: Titius Limetanus, (Aristocrat 8, Warrior 3; LN) appointed Governor of the port city. Limetanus is the current appointed governor of Tyre, and is loved by the local populate. He replaces Aritus the Syrian, who was condemned by Pompeius himself for diabolical practices of Armenian magic used to try and assassinate the general, and executed the governor in the arenas last year.
Syrian Princess: Marcia Maesa Limetania, (Necromancer 8, Aristocrat 4; NE) married to the governor, is his current wife. She is the daughter of Alomar Maesa, king-regent in Antioch. She is a schemer and works sexual favors with her necromancy and divination to manipulate Syrian politics.
Primus Pilum: Gaius Flavius Dentatus, (Fighter 10; LG) at 42, is senior Centurion and appointed first commander of the Syrian Cohort. The Cohort answers to Governor Limetanus, but owes its allegiance to Crassus, and is filled with many veterans of the Syrian conquest. Dentatus is an accomplished, loyal soldier who values Pompeius’ appointment, but dislikes working under Limetanus, who is not a military man.
Military Tribune: Aulus Maelius Cato, (Aristocrat 3; LE) son of the elder Maelius Cato, who is one of the staunchest supporters of Pompeius in the Roman Senate, was appointed tribune as a favor. He is an effeminate sort, and disliked by the centurions. He keeps his young boyfriend with him, Pippinioper, (Rogue 2; NG) at all times.
Chief Populate of Tyre: Shumarius Lividian, (Aristocrat 6 Rogue 1; LN) a Syrian man Phoenician descent, is also one of the greatest land-holders and slave merchants in the city, with many Arab Sabaean contacts. His position of importance places him high in the eyes of the people, and he uses his populate influence wisely to affect the focus of the otherwise Roman-dominant civic government. He is married to Aretrea of Macedonia, a former Greek slave, and his favorite, as well as three Arab women and a Numidian woman. He has taken on a Roman house name that is close to his original.
Some Encounters in Tyre:
1 troop of soldiers patrolling the city (20+2d10 soldiers)
2 newly arrived caravan from Nabotea or another Arab nation
3 Cappadocian caravan, very poor, but with slaves and used arms and armor
4 handful of scruffy-looking characters, seeking to play a game of chance
5 troop of dervishes from the desert, dancing for prayer and money
6 snake-charmer performing with street troupe of performers
7 oratory debate among local populates
8 a debate among self-professed prophets; the crowd gets angry
9 thieves move in a crowded area and target you for pick-pocketing
10 a caravan with captured wild beasts arrives
11 gladiators roam freely with wooden weapons, seeking fun or trouble
12 a swarm of leprous beggars surrounds you
13 a body lying in the street. Most people just move around it
14 barbarians from Eastern Thrace or beyond arrive, seeking Mitra
15 foreign visitors from Bythinia, Egypt, or Rome arrive with news for sale
16 prostitutes seek an easy roll
17 a local business has caught on fire. People watch, some try to help
18 an open debate of the city’s forum is in session. It gets ugly fast, a riot ensues
19 survivors of a ransacked caravan appear, with tales of horror and murder
20 A visiting prince of a Roman client state is attended by his entourage
