This is the other side of the medal: becoming a protectorate. I never had an offer before playing Scythia. Here three factions offered me to become their protectorate:

1. Parthians: They attacked me and offered prot. I refused, and they made peace.

2. Macedonian: I was in war with Dacia and they invated and besieged Tylis. I rushed with my army south, but they offered me prot and I accepted for 2,000 denarii and anual fee of 500. So I drove my army back to Dacia and bought some nice things with the money. The very next turn they attacked again. My army run south again and teaches the Macs a lesson about 'walk the talk".

3. While my punitive expedition against Mac the Brutii came and besieged my new town Thessalonica. The next turn they offered prot. I accepted to the usual conditions. They did not attack me since. However, they made peace with Mac. How do they think they will protect me??