Years past as events were slowly shaping the world. News came that the Romans had, after years of siege, broken the defenses of Rhegion and thus conquered all of southern Italy. In the fine town of Kart-Hadast the people spoke constantly about this, some saying the Romans would instantly march to Lilibeo, our city on Sicily, whilst others said they would remain loyal to the alliance. But shophet Mago, convinced that the Romans would remain loyal, decided it would not be discussed in the council. However, a few months after the Romans conquered Rhegion, the council discussed about expansion in Iberia. Seeing this would be economically profitable, the council unanimously voted in favour of such plans. An army was to be prepared and it was decided that Xanthippos, ‘hero’ of the Numidian campaign, was to lead it.

Iberia: Expansion and conquest.

As our scouts reported that the Romans had conquered Messana, the fleet, carrying the army of Kart-Hadast, set out for Ippone. There they would meet up with general Xanthippos, who governed that town, before they’d sail to Iberia.

As they landed in Iberia near the town of Mastia, they met with the Iberian part of the army. They were mainly infantry with some medium cavalry to support. A few days later they started marching north, to the independent town called Arsé.

Xanthippos quickly ordered the construction of rams so they could break through the wooden walls surrounding the town. But before they were finished, a small band of Iberians marched towards us, trying to relief the siege.

Xanthippos: ‘*is alerted by a scout* What?! An Iberian army that close, we can’t allow them to unite with the army in the town.. *thinks of a tactic he read about during his governor-time, turns to his forces* Men! Iberians are approaching, engineers, keep working on the rams, try to make it look like we’re still here.. Pherhaps then the town will not come to their aid. The others, we’ll make our stand there *points at a flat part of land a few hundred meters away, as they arrive there he orders* Skirmishers in front, phalanxes behind and the Iberian support behind the phalanxes, you shall defend the flanks. Cavalry on the right wing.’



His plan worked, Arsé didn’t notice the relief force and their warriors didn’t arrive on the battlefield at all! But Xanthippos had made one error when he chose the place to make his stand.. The Iberian relief force was coming over a hilltop, therefore they could throw their spears earlier then our skirmishers could. Many skirmishers fell as spears rained death upon them.. But then, finally, they got into range and threw their light spears.



As Iberian after Iberian fell they became disheartened, seeing an opportunity to make them rout Xanthippos ordered: 'Cavalry, charge at them now!’



The Iberians broke and the battle was won. Ba’al was surely with us that day, for as soon as the people of Arsé saw what had happened, they surrendered. For this we spared their lives and enslaved them. Pherhaps Xanthippos was slowly becoming a better commander..

A few months later the gods were surely smiling upon our republic once again. Scouts in Sicily reported that the Romans were sending their armies back to Italy, to the north. This meant that they were honouring their alliance with us. It was welcome news indeed that the trade with cities like Roma and Capua would continue.