The Universal Record & Senatus Gazette

Ancestral Ramparts Overthrown: Persia (rost) Masters Macedonia Against Greece (Zikurat)

A bitter humiliation has befallen Greece (Zikurat), whose ancient dominion over Macedonia was broken by the marching cohorts of Persia (rost). The eagle standards of Persia now fly above the forum amidst stunned silence from the citizenry. 'The spear decides what the assembly debates, but hunger outlasts both,' noted a cynical market overseer. Local tavern keepers remark that advancing cohorts and retreating phalanxes possessed an identical thirst for untaxed vintage.

Persia (rost) Commands the Greatest Territory

Customs officers at the harbor chain, questioning every captain, have learned that the banners of Persia (rost) cast the longest shadow across the Mediterranean, backed by 11 cities in full submission. Rulers of lesser realms convene anxious conclaves to deliberate on whether to form a league or sue for terms. Priests at the neutral oracles accepted gifts from both sides, uttering ambiguous prophecies regarding the outcome. Wise men agree that the matter will be settled by the next war, as the last one was.

Frontier Redrawn: Persia (rost) Expands Domain by 5 Provinces

Fortune has favored the arms of Persia (rost) beyond all expectation, resulting in the acquisition of 5 provinces in a single sweep. Triumphal arches have been decreed to honor the legates who directed the marches. Poets in the taverns of Persia were already composing verses that compared the generals to Achilles. Experts of the rostra are unanimous that the outcome was inevitable, now that it has occurred.

Laurels of Conquest: Resplendent Muster of Legions Across Persia (rost)

Bronze furnaces blazed across Persia (rost) to supply 3 additional combat detachments entering active service this season. Supply wagons loaded with grain and shields stand ready to accompany the new formations. 'Make room on the wall of fame,' laughed a mason of Persia, 'I have a new name to chisel.' 'I have sold lamps to both sides and I intend to go on doing so,' declared an oil merchant.

Resolute Annexation: Persia (rost) Enters Crete

Without encountering the flight of a single javelin, Persia (rost) has taken formal possession of Crete. A military governor has been appointed to oversee the harbor and collect provincial tolls. From the ramparts of Persia, beacon after beacon blazed to carry the glad news to the distant provinces. 'Armies march, but the olive harvest comes round regardless,' said an old farmer, not looking up from his pruning.

Neutrality Dissolved: Persia (rost) Occupies Jerusalem

The long autonomy of Jerusalem has yielded to the irresistible expansion of Persia (rost). Magistrates delivered the civic keys upon silver platters as disciplined ranks filed through the colonnade. 'Empires rise like the summer tide and recede like the winter ebb,' noted a visiting philosopher in the agora. Caravan masters in the desert cities doubled their escorts and raised their tolls.

Surveyors in Carthage (Keeper) redraw the map with 1 fresh boundary stone; the realm now counts 6 cities. The realm of Greece (Zikurat) shrinks on the wax tablet by 1 city; only 3 cities still pay tribute. Silver arrives from the new holdings of Persia (rost): 5 more centres in the books, 11 centres altogether. Grain and silver flow abundantly to Rome (Deathrun), adding 2 provinces to stand at 7.

It is muttered among the forum colonnades that Egypt sent a gift of pure Cretan wine and fifty amphorae of olive oil to the magistrates of Rome. Fishwives claim that the daughter of a general of Rome was seen weeping at the temple of Carthage, and no one will say why.

Swarms of locusts darkened the sky over the southern farms; garrison commanders set their men to beating pots and pans.

ATTENTION VINTNERS: Two score empty terracotta amphorae in sound condition, sealed with pitch. Inquire at the harbor granary.