The Sands Of Africa

**Warmaster Horus** · 08-02-2007, 10:18

Great beginning! As many have said, you are talented.
I personally voted for Makedon in the poll, but the Kart-Hadastim were a close second. Seeing this, I think you made a good choice.

**Basileus Seleukeia** · 08-02-2007, 12:31

This is simply great, keep up the excellent work, Chirurgeon

Hope the Anti-Barcids don't make your northwards expansion suddenly stop

**Chirurgeon** · 08-02-2007, 16:23

That will certainly affect how the game will play out, Basileus Seleukeia. To be sure.

Good to see you on this AAR too Warmaster. Your insight is greatly appreciated.

**Chirurgeon** · 08-02-2007, 17:23

Chapter II - The Numidian Menace

Winter, 266 BC
Having placed Aderbaal, my son, as governor of Messana and supplying some militia from Lilybaeum as a garrison I have departed Sicily and are now encamped for the winter West of Carthage. I spent much of the year in the capital resting and conferencing with various senators. While there I have been kept abreast of our position. Mago has told me that Rome is Beseiging Taras in southern Italy and it is likely that if they succeed they will not stop and will likely aim to capture the independent city of Rhegium, less than a days sail from Messana. "The Riches of Sicily are not only cherished by our eyes my brother.", he told me shortly before I left. Senators privately expressed concern that these Romans are like a cancer and will continue to spread. Although the Romans could be a distant threat more urgent problems have occured. Several Rebelious tribes to our south and west are wreaking havoc on our trade with the deeper areas of Africa. Mago has requested i deal with these mauraders and to find out where they are coming from. In the Spring we march to meet these rebels.

***

Winter, 265 BC encamped on the Medjerda River
We are currently awaiting more to replace the brave men that lost their lives in our campaign. Two large unruly groups of Numidians and other tribal avoided us for quite some time. Finally in the late summer we trapped them against the Aures Mountains where they were subsequently destroyed. They were but a third the number of men and a quarter the quality. The ones that did survive either fled or were captured and sold into slavery in Kart Hadastim.

Few Carthiginians have been this far south of the coast and it is quite splendid. Juniper trees cover the hillsides and other plants seem to flourish quite nicely. There is valuable timber here and should a road reach into this area it would behooth us to harvest it. Although they are not as large and valuable as the Corsican pines from Corsica, nonetheless their value cannot be overlooked.

Spies have indicated that the source of many of these mauraders and bandits is a sort of nomadic town to the west beyond the great Medjerda River. We will follow the base of the Aures mountain range and work our way to the west until this town is discovered.

***

Winter 264 BC, Besieging the Numidian City of Kirtan
Having discovered the city and trapping many of the inhabitants inside we will wait for them to fight, surrender, or starve to death. Three bleak options if you are the one inside the city. After conferring with officers I have decided not to assault the city due to the fact that I do not want my army becoming a giant pin cushion. The men inside are expert at throwing javelins and i dont need to sacrifice lives just to be done with this sooner. Spies have followed the men that escaped and they have taken refuge in Siga, on the coast. Kirtan is located on a hot plain between the Aures mountains in the East and the Central Atlas mountains in the west.

The Atlas mountains being much larger. Even from here there snow capped peaks can be seen. The cold seems to flow off the mountains at night and brings an incredible chill.
Men have to break the ice for the horses before they can drink from their pails in the early morning hours. As the day progresses and the sun rises the temperature reaches an oppressive level. For my part i will be glad to be back at the coast as soon as possible.
Obtaining supplies for the men has been aleviated a bit by the hunting prowess of the Numidian horse riders. Apparently they are just as good as killing game as they are men. As a result, we have been feasting on the local animals that run wild in these areas.

As dry as this area is there are hidden water resources and the Numidian Cavalrymen have a knack for finding these water spots. This fact adds yet another dimension to employing them in my service. Our foodstuffs from Kart Hadastim has been difficult to procure as the natives of the mountains still resist the Carthiginian way. They have a nasty habit of attacking our caravans enroute which slows down delivery of food. I have sent the Geographer with these Numidians to map out these water sources.

Spring 262 BC, Kirtan, Numidae
The inhabitants mainly surrendered and were sold into slavery. One-thousand of these will go to the new gold and silver mines in Mastia in Southern Iberia.

^^Army of Kart Hadastim
Apparently the mountains there are full of gold and silver. I have been called back to Kart Hadastim to meet with my brother and the Senate to discuss the Numidian problem. No doubt if Siga does not turn over the cowards who escaped the capture of Kirtan the Senate will be most upset. Another reason I wish to return to the capital is to see my new grandson. Born on my birthday he will be one year old. My sons, Aderbaal (the father) and Himlicar, will also be in the capital with their wives.

Alas I will be able to rest. At the age of 45 I am not Young anymore. Mago is nearly 55 and apparently feeling his age. As I am in line to be Shopet I know the Senate will wish me to possibly stay in Kart Hadastim. It is likely the senatores are debating who should follow me as the next leader....politics is something i have no love of. With the exception of the Numidians our borders remain secure.

Winter, 261 BC - Lilybaeum
It would seem that the father has joined his sons so to speak. I met for the better part of the day with the senate and they thanked me most noteably for my service to the Republic. After a discussion that lasted another day a vote came forth and a new commander was voted in. This is how it works I suppose. The politicians always want a fresh young noble face to tie to its mighty army. After having seen my grandson and my family united I realized I had no time to be a father. Several of my friends being senatores knew this and undoubtedly told others that it is time I settle down. Hamalcar will control our armies now. At the age of 33 he is much younger than I. He is the youngest of us brothers. Although I was his age once. I can hardly fathom how far I have come since those early days 11 years ago. Being nominated to travel to Sicily to finally crush the Syracuse tyrant Hiero II. Then achieving that goal. Moving to Messana to capture that very important city. I am not one for self promotion but it would seem without me Carthage would still be struggling and who knows what would have happened had Syracuse been allowed to exist. I have no regrets and history will remember me fondly. From Sicily back to Africa to deal with the new menace, the Numidians. It started with desert brigands and wound up becoming a war. War is something I know longer wish to deal with. I have seen enough men die. Hamalcar is ambitious and green and wants to make a name for himself. So be it. I get to govern a paradise here. Somehow I knew I would end up here in this rich land of Intoxicating beauty. As the governor here my goal is peace and with my two sons governing the other cities of this great Island I sleep well. Very well indeed.