Thassalokratia- A Carthaginian AAR

[SwissBarbar]

Very touching story, poor citizens

[Vasiliyi]

Sicily

Hamalcar realized his relationship with Mago has been deteriorating since their father died, but he was sure he could get his point across. He had sailed from Spain to Ippone, stopping for a week to pay his respects to his nephew, then sailed to Sicily only to find out that the Roman republic has laid siege to Messana. This was a direct violation of the peace treaty they had made years before. War was inevitable.


Hamalcar had always hated the Romans. They were a sneaky backstabbing people who kept no promises. This was all the proof he needed. He spent a few days preparing things for war, but not having the extensive armories and manpower of Kart-Hadast he could only do so much by himself. He left his best General in charge, just in case something happened while he was gone once more, and Sailed to Kart-Hadast.

In Kart-Hadast he called a meeting of the Senate to discuss the matters at hand. Mago was present, as was Bomilkar, but neither said anything to their little brother. Hamalcar didn't care. He had enough support in the senate. After everyone gathered, Mago stood and spoke.

"My dear country men, it seems as we have surrounded ourselves with potential enemies. The Roman republic has broken our treaty and has besieged Messana. Let us not be rash in our decision making. The floor is open."

Hamalcar didn't waste one moment to silence and stood to speak right away. "My brothers, my countrymen, are treaties meant to be broken? Are we that weak that we would allow our foes to break the treaties and not have them pay for it? Are we that sick with greed that we fear a war with them? I say, Raise an army, give me generalship, and let me crush those backstabbing fat men who sit in their baths all day. Give me the power to lead our glorious men to victory against our foe, and you will not regret it."

There was much murmur after this remark, no one seemed to have wanted to take the floor right away until Bomilkar spoke. "My dear brother, where do you plan to get the funds for such a glorious army. Our treasury is already wasted from the conquest of Numidia. If we begin a war with the Roman republic, we would lose half of our trading income causing us to go bankrupt."

What Bomilkar said was true, they were in financial trouble from the first army, and a second would bankrupt them. Bomilkar was always a pragmatist, never seeking risks or glory. He tedious in all the work he did, making sure everything was perfect and in order. This made him a good administrator, but not a leader though. He feared blood from birth and was considered a coward during the Iberian wars for not being a risk taker.

Mago spoke next. "Hamalcar, I understand Sicily is under threat, but maybe would should try to appease the Romans. I presume they only take Messana because of all the pirating that goes on around that area. King Heiro hates the Romans just as much as he hates us and would probably go to war with them as soon as they take it. They don't have the man power to besiege Syriakousa, and if they did it would take them a few years before they could even assault it. Lets calm down and write them a letter. I do not want to lose a trading partner in this time of our need."

Hamalcar was enraged. Here he was begging for assistance from his brothers and they were turning him down. His heart sank from disbelief. He had only one choice. He stood up and spoke once more.
"If you think that I am a coward, you are wrong. The Romans are a real threat. They have disciplined armies that dominate the region. If you do not wish to help me, I wish to be reassigned. I would like to be moved to Iberia."

"Brother, do not speak so rashly, we will help you, but you must understand the situation. We lack the funds for.." He didnt finish his sentence before he was interrupted.

"I wish to be reassigned to Gader." Hamalcar spoke, calmly, but a bit edgy.

"As you wish brother." Mago replied, he let out a big sigh at the end.

A vote was cast and before the day was done Hamalcar was already on a merchant ship headed for Gader. He leaned against the wooden railing of the ship and looked out at the sea. His desire for power grew even stronger that day. "I will make you pay for this Mago. I vow this to you." He said to himself.

[Vasiliyi]

Siga

After installing a local ruler in Kirtan, Hanno's army was once again on the move. We moved further west, towards the setting of the sun. There was a large city called Siga there which was our next target.

My name is Philisor. I grew up in a noble family in Atiqa. From birth I was put into school to become an adviser to the Shofet, but my heart was elsewhere. Ever since I was a little boy I played with the boys in the street. We played this game called fight, where we armed ourselves with sticks and what not and we hit each other until one team ran. My father always told me to stop playing games and to do my schooling. He always told me that these games I played would never help me. He was wrong.



Here I stood, on the top of the hill looking down on a very large host of men, marching at us. I was my units first man. In charge of about a thousand men. After finishing school, against my fathers wishes, i enlisted into the royal officer academy where I learned to fight and lead men. My men stood on top of the hill with me, awaiting any orders I issued.

The host neared us and we could hear their native tongue . I didn't understand it, but I assumed they spoke encouragements to each other and insults to us. It didn't matter though. In war the sword and spear was the best insulter.

The enemy then charged our center, which I was in and battle began.
I stabbed a man right away and stood my ground.

These men were very brave and skilled warriors, but we had many advantages over them. I swung my sword and killed another.

My men watched and fought along side of me as I killed these men. The next moment, the enemy charged me and almost knocked me down. I managed to get him off his feet and he looked at me, filled with hate.

I quickly gathered myself and prepared to parry any blow.

I swung my sword low, going for his belly, but he blocked it and attempted to swing.

He missed and i raised my sword high now going for the kill.

I ended the life of that man, but another took his place quickly, realizing i was in charge of the unit by the look of my armor. I feared this man even less than I did the last. He went down quickly after I gutted him. All around me was chaos. Lead bullets from the enemy were flying above our heads, shouting, screaming the clang of metal verse metal resounded on this hill. Another man fell by my sword. Then enemy seemed to run. I watched as they ran down the hill a bit and then they stopped to rest. I ordered no charge yet.

Just as i thought, after a few minutes of both sides catching their breath, the enemy charged again.

This charge lasted a lot less time than the last. I swung my sword at the first Numidian who came at me and killed him.

Blood gushed from his face as he fell down. I looked for my next target and chose him quickly. Will all of my remaining strength I charged him.

He didn't even know what hit him. He fell quickly and the enemy started fleeing. I gave him a quick death, cutting his neck open and letting the life slip away from him.
The day was ours, my unit lost nearly a hundred me, but the enemy lost even more. I'm sorry father but you were wrong, those games did help me, they helped me a lot.

[vartan]

This is wonderful!

[Vasiliyi]

Both the story and having a carthaginian AAR.

If you ever want to try a different Carthaginan experience just try extended cultures for XGM, where you will have a carthaginian senate to deal with...

XGM, thats the extended greek mod correct? Ill have to look into that. Thanks for your comment.

Very touching story, poor citizens

Yes it is, I was a little torn inside when i wrote it. I don't want Hanno to appear as a evil maniac who is bent on killing everyone. I wanted that to be seen in chapter. Hopefully that worked.

This is wonderful!

Thank you very much.

[Zarax]

XGM, thats the extended greek mod correct? Ill have to look into that. Thanks for your comment.

In case you're interested that's the latest version:
http://www.wmwiki.com/hosted/cv/XGM-XC_3_1_10.exe

[Vasiliyi]

Thanks for sitting tight and waiting for the next update everyone, its expected to be either tonight, or tomorow morning. Thank you all for reading.