I disagree Senator Manius, though I am currently in the wilds of Scythia, and long to see civilization again, Rome has need of my services. It takes my couriers weeks to reach Rome, and I fear it would take at least 18 months to retrace my steps to Greece. I instead suggest that I may continue on my way until Egypt, and there march along the coast to Carthage where I may be of some use.

Senator Manius, you are but 15 years of age. I applaud your zeal and desire to serve the Republic, but I have learnt one or two things from the nations I have passed through, and one of them is that Greeks are stubborn fools, and will never make peace that favours Rome.