Roma Interactive

[Caius]

Are we waiting to all players?

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

We need Armenia and Spain, then I'll start.

[UltraWar]

I will swap factions from Dacia to Armenia and give the entire of Dacia's land,army and wealth upon other things to Thrace (Caius Flaminius) so the Thracians and Dacians become the Thraco-Dacians and so that they have a chance.

Was: Dacia (now part of Thrace)

Now: Armenia

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Senate of Rome-
1. Fight Carthage for Sicily (Starts the First Punic War)
2. Attack Gaul
3. Strengthen your legions
4. Nothing

Carthage-
1. Attack Sicily
2. Attack Spain
3. Attack Egypt
4. Strengthen navy
5. Nothing

Gaul-
1. Attack Spain
2. Attack Italy
3. Strengthen army
4. Nothing

Brittania-
1. Invade Gaul
2. Unify the Isles
3. Strengthen navy
4. Nothing

Macedon-
1. Attack Greece
2. Attack Thracio-Dacia
3. Attack the Seleucid Empire
4. Nothing

Seleucid Empire-
1. Attack India (Bactria)
2. Attack Egypt
3. Attack Armenia
4. Nothing

Armenia-
1. Attack Seleucid Empire
2. Nothing
3. Attack Russia

Epirus-
1. Invade Italy (Start of the Pyrrhic Wars)
2. Invade Macedon
3. Invade Greece
4. Nothing

Parthia-
1. Invade Bactria
2. Invade the Seleucid Empire
3. Nothing

Ptolemaic Empire-
1. Invade the Seleucid Empire
2. Invade Carthage
3. Nothing

Bactria-
1. Invade India
2. Invade the Seleucid Empire
3. Invade Parthia
4. Nothing

Thracio-Dacia-

1. Invade Macedon
2. Invade Russia
3. Nothing

[Conqueror]

Basileus Ptolemy I Soter, King of the Alexandrian Greeks and Pharaoh of the Egyptians, proposes a three-way alliance between the Ptolemaic Empire, the Empire of Carthago and Macedonia. Together we can dominate the Mediterranean and make great profit from trade. Our combined naval force could easily eliminate any that challenges it, be that of the Seleucids or the Epirotes or the Romans.

What say you to this, honoured Basileus of Macedonia and Senators of Carthago?

[Conqueror]

Why would the Seleucids attack Armenia or Bactria? Those would be Satrapies of the Seleucids at this time and required to obey thecommands of the Seleucid king. Of corse, they could refuse which then leads to their independence (and war) but untill that happens I don't think that the Seleucids should have the option of attacking either. They could attack India of corse (they'd be able to send armies through Bactria).

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Demetrius I of Macedon only accepts this if we get help in conquering Greece.

[Warluster]

Number 3 please, nothing.

[Conqueror]

Ptolemaic Empire will provide you help against the greek city-states if the alliance is made. In exchange I ask that we will be allowed to recruit colonists from Southern Greece (willing greeks will be gifted with land-grants from lower egypt and I'll provide them with transportation via ships. This will let me increase the numbers of greek settlers in my empire so I'll have larger population base to recruit soldiers from. Can't trust those native egyptians...)

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Demetrius I of Macedon accepts this alliance.

[CountArach]

I'd like to join this, but I was just wondering how the tribes work, because as you know, Gaul was never united, nor was Iberia and all the other "Barbarian" places.

If you are representing tribal warfare I would like to be the Belgae.

[Cataphract_Of_The_City]

The ruler of Bactria decided to expand his domain by invading India.

He proposes an alliance with Parthia and mutual defence pact against our common foe, the Seleucids.

[Ignoramus]

Pyrrhus, King of Epirus and the Molossians, is glad to come to the aid of the Greek colonies in southern Italia. Therefore, he shall invade Southern Italia.

King Pyrrhus also invites the Gauls to invade Roman Italia from the north.

[Warluster]

I accept Bactria's offer of alliance, and there mutual defence offer as well. We shall with stand all attacks by the Selucid Empire, united we stand!

[Motep]

I accept the most noble proposal.

[Ignoramus]

King Pyrrhus offers an alliance to the Carthaginian Republic. "We have no quarrel, indeed, we can mutually benefit each other if we ally together.

[Motep]

I accept the proposal. may our nations prosper long.

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

Macedon wishes Epirus to stand down in the defence of the Greek States

[Comrade Alexeo]

Senate
Roma
Roman Republic

The sun was rising when the messenger arrived at the Senate.


Light echoed softly off the marble columns, making its way slowly down the halls of the even now ancient home of the governing of Roma.


It seemed to whisper... whisper softly... of greatness to be attained, of immortality to be acheived...

...as if the Gods themselves were mumbling in their sleep.


Quiet, quiet, hush now... all would come to pass soon enough...

*

"Ave, your eminences."

"Ave et salutatio. What news?"

"King Pyrrhus of Epirus has announced his intentions to land in southern Italia."

"Indeed? Has he given a cause for this?"

"He believes that the Greek colonies in Brindisium and Bruttium are threatened by the greatness of Roma."

"Ah... was there anything further?"

"No, domines. That is all."

"Very well. You may take your leave, then."


The messenger did so.


Lucius Postumius Megellus III, Consul of Roma, turned to his counterpart, Marcus Atilius Regulus, and cocked an eyebrow.


"What?"

"Well?"

"Oh, don't give me that gerrae Lucius. You and I both know that this has been a long time coming. Publius and Quintus told us of this when we succeeded them, and no doubt their predecessors told them the same."

"There is a difference between being forced to tell and being forced to act."

"Please. It was not I that proposed increasing our southern garrisons - we can thank Senator Decius for that piece of legislation."

"Ah, but you did support it, did you not? And look where it has landed us."

"The Epirotes? Invade? Successfully? Pyrrhus doesn't have the force to do it. Or the will. This is a ploy, nothing more."

"Is it now? Pyrrhus has only been on the throne for 3 years; he's been tossed around by the Ptolemies and the Greeks as a hostage for some time now. If he plans on keeping his throne now that he's finally regained it, he'll need a cause. Us, apparently."

"The man is the unluckiest in the entire Mediterranean!"

"We cannot simply place our fate in Fortuna's hands. No... no, this, this I don't like. There is more conniving amongst our foes than within our Senate. The Greeks are creatively coming up with new and fascinating ways to try and destroy each other, as always - the Ptolemies and the Macedonians have apparently decided they hate the Antigonids more than they hate each other."

"And the Phoenicians are moving as well."

"Carthage has its own problems. Every day, our spies report that raids by the Numidians are increasing against their caravans."

"Quite... but Pyrrhus is cunning. He has sent embassies to them, no doubt offering them gold and silver and incenses of the finest sort so as to keep their arses smelling sweet and comely."

"What of the Gallic tribes?"

"What do you mean?"

"He has asked them to join in from the north, and you know as well as I do that such barbarian scum adores a fight."

"You're not seriously suggesting that the Celts would agree to anything the Greeks do?"

"If there is blood and plunder? Absolutely."

"Ah, but think with me here now, think! We need only remind the Gauls of one thing and they shall not bother us."

"And what, praytell, would that be?"

"If Pyrrhus indeed actually leaves Epirus... who will be there to defend it?"

"Easy pickings."

"Exactly."

"Interesting... but do you really thing that those unshaven morons will be able to figure that out?"

"If there is blood and plunder, absolutely."

"Hmmmf! Ah, that reminds me... you've heard the latest news from the east?"

"Which?"

"The Seleucid Empire is in an uproar-"

"What a surprise."

"-quite. Their Bactrian and Parthian satrapies are apparently in open revolt."

"Once again, I am shocked."

"Once again, I laugh uproariously."

"Oh, silentium - get on with it!"

"Why not ally with the Seleucids?"

"And risk dragging the other Successors into this apparent war against us by the Epirotes? Are you mad?"

"We are already in a de facto state of war with them anyway. We might as well give them the easy distraction of the Seleucids."

"Ah... ah, I see now. Yes. And the Thracians, too. We should contact them."

"Another flank to the Macedonians?"

"Exactly. Let's give them more to worry about besides us."

"And as for us?"

"March south, of course. Pyrrhus has made a strategic error - there is only one place that he can land, in the south of Italia. Our shores are too well defended, and even if the Celts decide to aid him they would hardly allow a Greek army in their lands.

"I doubt Pyrrhus would even want to consider that option..."

"If he is a smart as he is headstrong at least. Which brings us back to the main point at hand - he can only land in southern Italia, and so we know exactly where to meet him."

"You can handle that. I'll bother with the diplomatic issues."

"You would let me have all the fun? How kind."

"Consider it a favor."

"Indeed... indeed... well, well, well... so it begins."

"It has never ended."

***

OOC:
(Note that the Senate was not in session; the messenger was only meeting with the Consuls)

Roma has sent ambassadors to the Seleucids and the Thraco-Dacians with offers of alliances. A messenger has also been sent to the Gauls informing them of Epirus' soon-weakness at home due to the impending invasion of Italia, and has offered gold if they happen to capitalize on this...

I suppose I'm going with option 3 - strengthening the legions. Five legions are being raised in the south, and fortifications of watchtowers and several forts are being built as well.

[Ignoramus]

Palace of Pyrrhus
Arta
Kingdom of Epirus

It had been a peaceful morning in Arta, and a light wind was blowing from the south.


The sun glistened off the brass cloumns inside the vast palace. It was strangely quiet considering the momentuous declaration that night before.

What would become of these ancient halls? Who could tell what barborous acts would befall these lands. Even the gods appeared to hold their breath...

*

"Hail, my King."

"Ah, Demetrius, what news do you bring from Rome?"

"The Senate and People of Rome have sunk to buying deliverance from the Keltoi."

"Ha! They would seek assistance from the very people who burned Rome?"

"They do have strange ways these Latins, but the threat is real.

"Very well then, I shall dispatch Alcetus to see to our borders. Is that all you have learned?"

"Not all, king. I have found out that the same Romans seek to become allies with the Thracians."

"With those dullards? How did you learn of this?"

"I chanced to meet one of the servants of the Consul on his way home from a brothel."

"Poor man, I've heard that the Roman women are ugly."

"I pulled my dagger and demanded to know what had been discussed between the two consuls. Due to his drunkeness and his current state of mind, he told me this. I then plunged my dagger swiftly into his heart and disposed of his body in the sewers."

"You have done well, Demetrius, you're work shall not go unnoticed. You may leave."

"As you wish, my king."

***

OOC:

Great write-up Comrade Alexeo! I tried one based on yours, altough I fear it is sorely lacking compared to yours.

Pyrrhus will invade Southern Italia with his entire army, while the border towns of Epirus will been strengthened and peasants being trained to defend the towns if attacked.

[Conqueror]

Ptolemaic Empire-
1. Invade the Seleucid Empire
2. Invade Carthage
3. Nothing

None of the listed options are appropiate, given the recent diplomatic developments. Ptolemaic Empire's actions will be:
- Preparing the attack against the Greek city-states (attack commences at the same time as the Macedonians do) and
- Preparing the Ptolemaic/Seleucid frontier (Judaea) for defensive siege warfare. Garrisons of the walled cities are increased, supplies are gathered and the generals in charge are instructed to use scorched earth tactics in the event of a Seleucid invasion.

[Keba]

2. The Gallic tribes launch an invasion of Roman territory, driven by the memory of the vast wealth captured when Roma fell to the Gallic forces last time.

The representatives of the Gallic tribes seek to make friends, and allies even, with the Epirotes, so that the two wage war against the Romans better.

[Caius]

I will invade Russia.

And, i will send diplomats to Armenia and Gaul for alliance.

I cant trust the alliance Thraco-Roma.At this moment, Roma and Thrace will be neutral.At this moment.

[Motep]

The Shofets trudged their way through Cathages nobles towards their seats. Thankfully, they were surrounded by the military commanders instead of the braindead scum that dares to call themselves elite. As they reached their seats. thier speaker, Mago Milki , raised his hand for silence. This was slowly achieved, but when it finally was, he began to speak in his usual stately manner. "Now, it is time for us to decide what would be best to do against the romans. Our allies have asked for our assistance against the People of Rome, but it is not a task to be decide by just one man alone."
This created a shockwave of chatter in the hall, and on of the Powerful Merchants rose to feet. "But what of the Numidians? We surely should send our armies to stop them from harassing our trade!" This caused a murmur of agreement from the hall, But General Hastrubal Barca was appaled at such an idea and retorted back: "If we were to do that, these romans would surely take our lands from us. Besides, what will this show to our allies? Its not like we dont have trade elsewhere..." He was cut off by the merchant "But what about our goods? Surely they cannnot be ignored..."Silence, Fool! Do not make me remove you from this hall! If You think your goods are that important, take a sword and protect them yourself" With that the merchant took his seat. On of the Admirals made use of the silence and took his stand "We cannot ignore the Roman Navy. It is powerful, but it is growing daily. It will soon be hard for us to get in unnoticed, but we still have a chance now. I suggest we strike while we have the chance!" He resumed his seat and was replaced by on of the Nobels "But how will that affect the prices? How will the other nations take our agressio..." "Well, its not like you wont be able to afford it" One of the lesser generals butted in "SILENCE!!" Mago stood on his seat and raised both of his hands. "This bickering will get us nowhere...the only thing it will lead to is a headache. We Have the resources to invade Sicily AND protect the caravans. I propose we do both. General Milki?"
"I agree. We have more than enough troops. But I propose we ship the brunt of them to Sicily, and secure new lands. That would bring in more economic opportunities and will keep our allies happy" At these words, the faces of the nobels lit up with greed, and almost at once an agreement was acheived.

Long story short: I will invade Sicily with most of my army, and some of the rest will protect trade.

[Comrade Alexeo]

Home of Senator Cnaeus Marcus Antoninus
Narnia
Roman Republic

"Ah, this is an excellent roast, as usual."

"Thank you, domine," replied the servant-cook with a sigh of relief.

"Would you care to try a piece? You deserve it, after all."

"I... I would be most honored domine..."

The other servants turned and looked at each other with confused expressions. This was rather... unusual, wasn't it? Hmmm...

"Come, come, come, come and taste this..."

The servant-cook walked over to the head of the long table in the dining hall, seating but one of a possible 40, as always.

The Senator raised his knife. The servant-cook flinched, until he realized that he was meant to grab the meat on the end of it.

Again, the other servants wracked their brains; touching the Master's cutlery?

The cook was no fool, and hesitated, glancing questioningly at the Senator, who smiled at him.

"Take it! Go on, take it! It is quite alright."

Finally breathing again, the other servants watched as the cook took the meat and placed it in his mouth.

"Delicious, isn't it?"

"Mmmmrf... yes, yes domine..."

The other servants salivated. At best they got a bit of bread and cheese from the Master every so often - and here was one of their number with a prime cut of lamb, enjoying every bite.

"Yes, very good isn't it? Cooked medium-rare to perfection."

The cook's mouth was full, and so he only nodded happily. Nodding, nodding, nodding...

...oh.

No...

Oh no...

NO!

"NRF-" the cook managed to grunt even as the Senator pierced his heart with a powerful thrust from the knife. He was dead before he hit the floor.

"I asked for well-done."

He stood and flung the knife into the wall opposite the table - right between the heads of two of his other servants, wide-eyed with horror.

"And I shall need a new knife."

*

Clap, clap, clap.

Senator Gnaeus turned around furiously as he left his dining hall, and then he saw...

"Good show, Senator, good show indeed."

"Consul Lucius... I am honored that you would stop by."

"Oh, the honor is mine, Senator. You are just the man I need."

"Am I now? For what, may I ask?"

Consul Lucius filled him in on the situation with the Celts. Almost immediately his face turned red and his eyes bulged with fury.

"Those damnable barbarians! It's high time that we wipe them out, once and for all, I say! Damn Senator Gaius' talks of peace-"

Lucius chuckled.

"Are you hear to laugh at me, Consul? Laugh at me for being right? Call a session of Congress now, and I swear I'll-"

"Oh, you need not worry, I laugh not at you. I laugh at the thought of the Celts meeting you on the field of battle."

Pause.

"What?"

"Well, if we plan on defeating the Celts, then we'll need an army, won't we? And a commander ruthless enough to lead it to overwhelming victory."

"You... you would grant me this honor?"

"Would? I already have. Your tribunes are no doubt waiting for you already."

And with that, Senator Gnaeus rushed to his stables.

***
Camp Prefect's Tent
legionary fort 10 miles northeast from Narnia
Roman Republic

"...with all due respect, legatus, you're not suggesting that we move against the Gauls with but two legions under your command?"

"On the contrary, praefectus, that is exactly what I intend to do."

Praefectus castrorum Lucas Avisius frowned. As the senior military officer of Legio IX, third in command only to the Senator and his young tribune, it was his job to frown and then explain why to his generally inept superiors.

"Speak."

"The Celts are fierce warriors, legatus, but their characteristic trademark is a penchant to launch headstrong on ill-conceived offensives."

"Are you calling me a barbarian?!"

"No. I'm saying that you are thinking as one-"

Legatus Gnaeus' face began to turn from red to purple...

"-and surely a senator as wise and with such a bloodline as yours has far greater intelligence than any mere Celt," finished Lucas, who fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"Yes! Yes, indeed! You speak well, praefectus-"

Lucas nodded, though he was bored of this conversation as of five minutes ago.

"-and no man gets into your position without skill. What would you suggest, given your experience against the Etruscans?"

Much better.

"I would march northwest, as if to Arretium."

"But that would expose Narnia entirely! Perhaps even Roma! We could be cut off entirely! Are you daft, man?!"

Red.

"We need only tease the Celts, legatus, and they will follow us, as a dog might a stick. The Gauls know they are poor at the art of siegecraft, and they are at least smart enough to realize that they cannot simply march on Narnia, else we would hit them in their arses. They must defeat us first - and of course that will be exactly what they crave, a noble fight head-to-head against their sworn enemies et cetera et cetera..."

"Get to the point!"

Purple.

"And we shall oblige them, and turn to face them - right as the two legions near Asculum have arrived in their rears."

Gnaeus' face cleared instantly and smiled with a wicked gleam in his eye.

"And then we shall have them!"

"Precisely, legatus. Precisely."

***

So it was that Legio VIII and IX began their march away from Narnia towards Arretium. At Asculum, the Sixth and Seventh milled about in confusion - or at least that was the impression they would give, as they were only waiting with bated breath for their orders to march.

This would not be a repeat of the fighting against the Celts 100 years earlier. Then, the hoplites of Roma had been destroyed by the free-moving barbarians. But now, things were different... oh, were things different...

Hastati, principes, triarii. Radical departures from their hoplite forebears, not just in tactics but in armament as well: after much discussion, they had adopted the gladius hispaniensus, a short but wickedly efficent sword, in lieu of mere spears. Little did they know that the gladius would eventually be responsible for more deaths than any other weapon in history until the advent of gunpowder.*

And in the south, too. In the south, preparations were being made in expectation of the Epirotes. Here, the Romans would encounter an opponent far better organized and equipped than any Celt - but Pyrrhus, too, would fall. It was as certain as the rising and setting of the sun. Pyrrhus would fall.

As would Carthage.

And the Successors.

And the Iberians, and the Germans, and the Parthians.

And everyone else who even dared considering opposing Roma.

It was written in the stars. It was whispered by the Gods. It was as certain as the rising and setting of the sun...

...Roma would prevail.

***

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

At left, Roman triarius. He wears a bronze helmet, a bronze cuirass or iron chainmail, bronze greaves, and is armed with a hasta thrusting spear and a gladius. At right, Roman hastatus or princeps. He wears a bronze helmet, a bronze chestplate or leather cuirass, possibly a bronze greave on the left leg, and carries two thrusting pila (one "heavy", one "light") and a gladius.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Roman cavalry. They are essentially armed as a triarius but generally forgo the greaves (awkward as they are on horseback).

*Really.

Oh, and why is Carthage invading Sicily? They own Sicily. Although admittedly anyplace that's not Italia is fine with me, since it looks like Roma's being ganged up on...

[Ignoramus]

OOC: I think they're attacking Messena, which is not Carthaginian at this time.

[Patriarch of Constantinople]

As Ignoramus said, Messana was not part of Carthaginian Sicily, so they invaded it.

As for me,


Demetrius I of Macedon rode his steed up and down the ranks of the Macedonian Phalanx, escorted by his bodyguard and the Companions. He was going to lead this campaign, and he was going to win. Athens was his first target, then the Peloponesse. Than he will rebuild Megos Alexandros's Macedon.

[IrishArmenian]

If there is anything Brittania can do to help our Celtic brothers defeat the condescending and cowardly Romans, just ask.
We look forward to your great victory, and I advise ambushing those Roman fools on your home soil.

[Motep]

Ha! At this time period, Carthage does own all of sicily! I suppose I shall Have to invade Italy instead...

[Caius]

Waiting to the responses