Civil War of Carthage, 480 B.C. Alternate History

[AntiochusIII]

1) B

Storm Hundir. The Cagar cannot be let to consolidate. Should the Iberian tribes realize that the Cagar are here to stay, many more will likely join them or start playing double games to turn the two Carthaginian factions against each other while they profit.

Don't bother with bogged down sieges; I doubt Carthaginian colonies, except for the bigger and more important ones like our own Gadir, are that fortified. And to be hit in the back during a siege is disastrous.

A is too slow for my tastes and allow the Cagar to establish themselves firmly. C is not a real choice as we do not have nearly enough resources and local goodwill to support a guerrilla campaign; and we have no reason to conduct one either.

Besides, things are heating up. Why should we stay behind in some backwater land when Carthage itself is at stake?

2) B

While C is an attractive base-building project, I think B is a better choice. While ambushing, make clear signals that we won't attack unless they fight back, though! Do it like a sneaky policing duty. This way, no more troublesome ships and spies would go around without our knowledge -- Gadir is, after all, on the Atlantic side of the Pillar of Hercules, not the Mediterranean side -- and we could confiscate enemy ships coming around. Let the harmless merchants go free, of course, with a little "compensation." No need for serious provocation.

My choice not to choose C is due to time concerns -- the fleet should be near if they're needed on the front against the Cagar Alliance -- and the issue that the project isn't likely to pay good short-term dividends.

A is out of the question. I doubt the Barca fleet is that strong, and it sort of ruins the point of the last chapter's decision, too.

3) C

Agreed with Gurkhal's proposal. A non-aggression pact: we won't bother you, good luck with the other houses, but we're not committed to be your lapdog yet. Expect your back to be safe if you guarantee ours will be too.