The Eternal War: Prologue
Zeus stood alone on the podium of his throne, the steps leading up to the twin thrones- his and Hera's- gave him a bird's eye view over the entire throne room, which was currently empty. The central hearth that normally blazed during the olden days were left cold and abandoned. His sister, Hestia, had faded millennia ago, overcome by the grief and sorrow that was imparted by the constant Greek-Roman war that killed millions and impacted billions. While gods of empathy and kindness faded, the gods of war and despair, fear, carnage, and death thrived. Ares grew more powerful than his fellow Olympians, his power fueled by the constant state of war that the two superpowers were in.
Zeus sighed, the constant migraine threatening to split his head-and personality- apart with his Roman counterpart, Jupiter. Although this was one of his better days, his migraines would get the better of him, and the two sides, and consequently, states, will go to war. The last major war between the United Greek Coalition and Roman Empire was 70 years ago in the 1940s, and since its conclusion in 1952 with the decisive Roman victory at Illyria, the Romans gained their great river head on the Greek side of the "Great River", building a intricate line of defense and numerous forts along the position, backed by artillery systems and air bases on the other side of the map.
The gods themselves were divided between the Greek and Roman counterparts. While Zeus remained on the side of the Greeks decisively, the other Olympians and minor gods were not as faithful. With some, defecting, for a lack of better word, to their Roman counterpart. With Pluto, Diana, Mars, Mercury, Bacchus and Nike chief among them.
From the hills of Macedonia where the Romans tasted their first defeat in conquest, to the vast expanse of the Holy Roman and Byzantine Empire, which the Greeks renamed themselves briefly, to the medieval 100 year war between the French and Greeks, to the World wars that manifested itself between the Allies and Axis or Central powers, the Great Struggle between the Roman Empire and Greek City States continued through-out the centuries, often manifesting itself with different people, places and purposes. From the Hills of Macedonia where the Romans tasted their first major military defeat, to the plains of the Byzantine Empire, to the Hundred Year War between the French and English, to the World Wars that shook the Balance of power to its core with devastating effect. And while the settings changed as the center of power, or two powers, shifted in accordance to history, war almost always broke out, as certain as the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West, as sure as pain, as sure as suffering.
However, this time, the scales of war have tipped to the Roman's favor, and the great shadow of War looms on the horizon once again. Zeus felt it in his bones. If the Greeks lose any more of their frontline on the river, they will be pushed back decisively, the Romans will win if the Greeks don't step up their game. And there is nothing that I can do about it, Zeus thought bitterly.
It's up to them now, he thought. If the last Greek flames are snuffed out, the Romans will do all that they could to destroy Greek culture and assimilate its people into Roman culture, the Greek Gods will fade, and the Roman Gods will reign supreme. The Greek City-States were always divided as a coalition, always prioritizing their interests at heart and wary of each other's motives, regardless of the looming shadow of their constant and common enemy
-The Greeks-
Sparta wanted an integrated army of soldiers from all city-states to be bred to fight, bleed and die on the battlefield. While Athens pursued a more "combined arms" doctrine, using their "Phalanx" Mark 5 Battle Tanks, 25cm "trebuchet" Artillery systems, and combined with their "Hoplite" Assault infantry. Apollonia focused on Seers to direct their military efforts by looking into the future, trying to catch glimpses through the heavy smoke of uncertainty and the unpredictable. The Cretans built up a formidable navy on their naval strongpoint of Panama, with a man-made canal built that let Greek and its allies' ships pass through the two narrowly divided oceans. It is often regarded as a economic and military lifeline to the Greeks. And at the foot of Mount Olympus near the metropolis of New Athens stood the Greek Special Forces Training Camp. Built with the need to conduct covert and highly classified mission, these spec-ops units will complete missions, "quests" as they are called in camp. Receiving intelligence from one of the many seers and oracles posted in the Greek Camp. "Half-blood Camp".
Air superiority was a touchy subject for the Greeks, because they frequently didn't have it. Their de-centralised chain of command and government made it hard to make one specific type of fighter, close air support and bomber. With each City-state coming up with different types of military aircraft. However, none could doubt the Athenian's "Aeolus" fighter. With unrivaled maneuverability and untouched weaponry, falling short on protection and a faulty ejection process. However, with each successful design, the Greeks produced ten ineffective fighter designs, and the balance in air power has been on the Roman's side since the dawn of flight a century ago.
When formed originally, it was built to cater to Demigods, but as the number of Demigods grew less with each passing year, clear sighted mortals were recruited to the Greek cause, undergoing intense physical and psychological training and tests. As the only integrated armed regiment in the Greek Coalition, they received orders only when the Council of Representatives agreed unanimously. Dropping behind enemy lines for sabotage, assassinations and espionage. They also spearheaded offensives conducted by the Greeks. However, these efforts will often fall short of the Roman's defining discipline and cohesion.
However, where the Greeks fall short on air power, they more than make up for with their naval prowess. With its coastal cities mass producing its battle proven "Chariot" class aircraft carriers, "Poseidon" class frigates, "Trident" class dreadnought and "Triton" class destroyer making up its surface fleet, it also used "Kymopoleia" class Submarines armed with dangerous sonar tracking torpedoes that were notorious for harassing Roman trade in the West coast of the continent. It's vital naval base in Crete allowed them to base the majority of their forces there for interception of a attacking, inferior Roman fleet. It also maintained a highly defensive, maneuverable defense fleet stationed and patrolling the friendly waters of the east coast, acting as a safety net against a surprise Roman attack.
The Greeks employed a complex system of espionage, with numerous agents and counter-agents deployed in the Roman empire, as well as in their own various city-states. These agents actively relayed important information and technological advances, often stealing these designs and implementing them into the Greek armies, with some modifications that would improve the overall capabilities of such technology the Romans invented.
The Greeks employed a form of dispersed industry, choosing to spread out its industry in the face of minimizing loses from strategic bombings conducted by the Roman air force, even during times of peace to ensure that their defensive and production capabilities were not undermined. Each state specialized in a certain trade. For example, Spartan troops made up the bulk of the assault infantry and many military assets were located in the province. In Apollonia, textiles and major cities were located, as well as being the trade center for the Greek city states. And in Athens, being the capital, was where the majority of trade and finances were conducted, as well as being the location for the Greek Council of representatives and other official government buildings essential to the Greek coalition.
The Greek government system was rather simple, despite its state as a coalition of unified city-states. One would imagine that the Greeks wasted enormous amounts of time and resources deciding and voting on new policies, with each city-state vying to forward their own agenda on economic, political, social and military issues. However, this was mostly not the case. While not every policy was supported unanimously, and not every vote passed without opposition, the Greeks were largely unified. Facing unparalleled hostility from the Romans, they were united to pass Government laws and policies to oppose the Romans most efficiently.
Greek culture was the most far-reaching. With their revolutionary motion-theatre entertainment proving to be a reliable and efficient form of revenue for the Greek war economy. Where ever, there was Greek influence, they were guaranteed raise revenue, influence and sway over the local country. All over the known world, the Greeks made their presence known with their awe-inspiring music and theatrics, impressive art and uncanny ability to produce some of the world's best musicians, actors, and anyone related to the entertainment industry, with the entertainment giant "twelve muses" as the figurehead of the trillion dollar entertainment industry the Greeks possessed.
-The Romans-
The Romans favored discipline in their troops, adhering to strict combat books and battle strategies to guide their way to victory. Although seen as rigid and awfully predictable in its attacks, the Romans were able to crush the Greeks armies almost all the time, halted in their advance only due to the long range artillery systems and warship missiles that the Greeks employed in their defensive battle doctrine.
Their main mobile infantry were organized into cohorts, with each cohort made up of 500 men. Ten of these cohorts of 500 men were organized into a Legion, supported by one company of 20 "Equites" Main Battle Tank and supported by 25 "Ballista" 20cm artillery and various types of rocket artillery systems. Each Legion worked together and together, they made a deadly adversary to the Greek armies. A notable occasion of the Legion's brutal efficiency as a killing machine was made in the Roman outpost of Noricum. There, a Legion, which was stationed there as a token force to safeguard the Roman's flanks, were attacked by 8 Greek Hoplite divisions, supported by 2 companies of Phalanx battle tanks. The Romans dug in, and bombs rained day and night from Greek "Ouranos" Fighter-bombers, with the one squadron of Roman "Diana" Fighters stationed there losing its fighters one by one.
With air superiority lost to the Greeks, the Romans took cover in the bombed ruins for some form of cover. And in the daylight, the Greeks advanced. It was a bloodbath of Greek bodies. The brutal hand to hand combat in the city made it easy for the Romans to create vital chokepoints, delaying the Greek forces from surrounding the Romans into an isolated part of the city. For every Roman Legionnaire that fell, 10 Greeks lost their lives. However, the Roman forces were soon overwhelmed, with their commander, Scipio Agrippa, who held the small town for 20 days before committing the last of his troops into a suicide charge to the enemy, followed by the last two hundred of his men. The Greeks rejoiced, even at the heavy cost incurred taking this small, somewhat important border town that the Romans controlled, only to be driven back 5 days later when a counterattack by the Roman 35th, 47th, 52nd and 91st legions arrived, regaining control of the outpost.
Apart from their respectable air force and awesome army, the last branch of the Roman armed forces, the navy was the weakest, deemed "un-Roman" the Romans never saw much value in maintaining a strong navy, devoting most of their resources to their army and air force. However, they did maintain 3 defensive fleets that protected Roman convoys and the Roman coasts from Greek attacks. Highly maneuverable, the Roman's had the speedy "Venti" class corvettes, "Pluto" class torpedo boats, and "Neptune" class Frigates, which acted as flagships for Roman fleet commanders.
Where the Greeks sought minimal loses from its production capabilities by Roman strategic bombers, the Romans faced no such threat. Even in times of relative peace, its air space above its industrial cities were secure, its jet fighters could intercept any known Greek aircraft that tried to enter its air space, driving them off before they could do any real damage. The Romans centralized their economy, following a series of bureaucratic processes to handle economic, political and social issues. As such, they are able to produce military equipment and its respective components needed to drive the Roman arms-race with the Greeks.
Where mathematics and science were concerned, the Romans reigned supreme, their technology was always one step ahead of the Greeks. Their legions were largely invincible due to their equipment, and battle doctrines. Their air force ruled the sky, never allowing the Greeks to gain a single foothold on their airspace.
With an army of such magnitude and quality, many often wondered why the Romans were unable to conquer the Greeks so easily. The Romans often underestimated them, going to such extents as to call them inferior "Graecus" scum. However, this was due to the fact that the Greeks could count of many allies around the world for military and economic aid. Moreover, the Greeks had used underhand methods to even the playing field. Their numerous agents infiltrated Roman society, with some even going as high as senator in the Roman court of Representatives of Prefects and Provinces (RRPP). These agents proved a blow to the knee, never allowing them to widen the gaps between the Romans and Greeks. And while the Romans did undergo numerous attempts at espionage and counter-espionage, they were never as successful, due to the nature of a coalition making it naturally more difficult, with often conflicting reports arising from different city-states, making it difficult for the Romans to stitch information together.
-End-
As such, the stage was set, the capabilities of each great empire laid out to bare. The Eternal War was approaching the end of its life. Only one great civilization will leave this war victorious.
Authors note: So, the stage is set, the dynamite from which war will once again erupt will ignite once again. I guess there are a couple things to answer:
The Gods (Both Roman and Greeks) will not play a major role in the war to come, think of them as in the state from Heroes of Olympus where they had a massive migraine and were unable to contribute to the war of the giants.
Yes, there will be characters from the original series, if there wasn't, it would hardly be a FanFiction *laugh*. Some characters will be omitted from this FanFiction. For example, the villains (Titans, Giants, Tartarus, Gaia, etc). There will only be major characters from the Romans, Greeks, occasional God, and some major historical characters ( From Generals to Senators to Dictators).
I Hope you enjoyed this introduction to the story. I aim to put out about 20 chapters of 100,000 words as a minimum goal for achieving this target. However, updates might only come out once every two weeks or so as I'm still in school. If there is anything you would like to query, feel free to drop a review, I will answer it in the next chapter. Constructive criticism is welcome. I know there will be some grammatical mistakes and such, I try to do my best to spot and edit them, but I might not catch all of them. So sorry in advance. Thank you, and have a nice day.
-Ninjabuddhism.