Summer, Dies Martis

Finally we have managed to take hold of what time it is out of the year, and an ironic day it is. Martis seems everywhere these days, but perhaps that is because Roma's enemies are too. But Martis has blessed our sword time and again, and today, on his day, on Dies Marties, he has given us a blessing none could have foreseen. As we held on to Thapsus for the spring, we expected up to three attempts by the Carthy armies, who were well within reach of the town, to try and take it back. Instead, the death of three of their highest ranking generals in our initial capture of the town seems to have not only demoralised them, but thrown their armies into utter disarray. Their captains are argueing amongst themselves, squabbling back and forth unable to make any significant decision. Throughout the entire season, none of their five armies moved an inch. This provided us with the most unexpected, but most significant occurance in this theatre to date. Cartago was left almost completely undefended.



There was no choice, Cartago had to be besieged, and next season, it will fall to the might of Roma. Thapsus, however, must be abandoned in the process. A minor setback, but one I will willingly trade for the capture of Cartago itself. After seeing that every temple to their dark and crooked gods is torn apart brick by brick and burned, we abandon the settlement to the desert and begin our new expedition. The walls of their 'great city' are besieged as I write this letter.



As we neared the walls to their settlement we came across a messenger from Appius in Rome, he had sent word of the most recent developments at home. They were all quite pleasing.

The world has recognised us as the greatest nation of all. And the senate fears we may become a nation of 'mud hovels'. What nonsense!



On a more personal note, Titus Vatinius's daughter has wed Publius Fuscus, he seems a rather able man, if not a bit older. My congratulations go out to the Vatinii on their day of celebration.



I would also like to extend my personal congratulations to Flavius Pacuvius, whose family has been graced by a son, Luca Pacuvius. Actually, come to think of it, this is the second child he has decided to name Luca Pacuvius. Ever the humorous man I guess. May your two Luca's bring you much pride when they come of age enough to serve Rome.



What pleases me most is the completion of the necessary recruits to field my uncle Marcellus with a consular sized army. However, some of his new recruits are ill to learn their proper marching procedures, and cannot catch up in due course. Either way, he is set to disembark and will be halfway to Afrika by the end of next season. Already, we are a season ahead of schedule on the departure date. Flavius Pacuvius will follow as quickly as possible afterwards, most likely, he will be in Sicily with a full consular army when Marcellus lands, and will require only a seasons time to cross the sea.




A Seleucid Diplomat, attempting to contact Ptolemeic dignitaries in Sardis, was assassinated this season, quite wisely I might add, by Marcus the Killer. The possibility of the Seleucids and Ptolemies actually working together in the west might slow our progress...slightly. I am pleased that this possibility has been removed.



The further completion of a number of projects throughout the Republic in our attempt to win over the favor of the people has been disclosed to me as well. I am quite happy with the results, and with this, we now have the ability to draw a slight bit more taxation from our people without discontenting them too much. Of course, this will only continue until our conquests in Afrika and the east are far than great enough to offset the minor acquisitions we will make with higher taxes. I will assume that 3 settlements should be enough to do this. Some of my grandfather's farming projects have been completed as well.