Chronica Antiqua & The Mediterranean Inquirer

The Golden Laurel: Ultimate Victory Crowns Rome (Luis Rodriguez)

The trumpets sound throughout the Mediterranean to proclaim the undisputed hegemony of Rome (Luis Rodriguez). Every rival bastion has yielded its keys, and the former monarchs of the earth now attend as supplicants before the supreme tribunal. In the forum of Rome, crowds cheered wildly as victorious wreaths of laurel were laid upon temple steps. 'Carthaginians would call it luck; we call it drill,' sniffed a drill-master of Rome.

The Hour of Decision: Rome (Luis Rodriguez) Borders on Solitary Dominion

The balance of the civilized world teeters on the brink of extinction as Rome (Luis Rodriguez) reaches 18 holdings, just 0 cities short of universal dominance. Desperate embassies cross mountain passes in search of an alliance capable of staying the juggernaut. Neutral envoys watched the tidings with guarded expressions, dispatching swift messengers to their respective masters. Stone carvers in the capital are already growing weary of chiseling new names upon conquered boundary stones.

The Revolving Citadel: Persia (Kowalski) Takes Crete from Greece (Эльф ушастый)

Marking 4 transfers of rule during this war, Crete has succumbed once again, taken by Persia (Kowalski) from the faltering cohorts of Greece (Эльф ушастый). Citadel ramparts are scarred with the marks of repeated sieges. Sailors in the harbor of Greece refused the night watch, saying that the sea was safer than the land. The legal justifications offered by imperial rhetoricians are as ornate as they are thoroughly unconvincing.

Spears Crowned with Laurel: Rome (Luis Rodriguez) Surges Forward with 4 New Conquests

A magnificent campaign season has propelled Rome (Luis Rodriguez) into glory, expanding its realm by 4 cities across the known world. Staff legates report that every objective was carried with exemplary discipline. Wine merchants of Rome rolled their finest casks into the squares and gave them away to all comers. 'The sword has severed what treaties and envoys could not hold,' observed a veteran tribune of Rome.

Retraction of Empire: Carthage (MonsterSerg) Sustains the Loss of 5 Centres

In one of the sharpest declines of the war, Carthage (MonsterSerg) has seen its domain reduced by 5 strongholds within twelve months. Neighboring monarchs are already eyeing the weakened realm for further exploitation. Pilgrims descending from the oracle road relate that defensive perimeters are being pulled back to protect the core. It is observed that heralds on both sides have used the word 'glorious' so often that it has lost two thirds of its value.

Bitter Repulse: Persia (Kowalski) Frustrates Supported Advance of Carthage (MonsterSerg) upon Alexandria

Slaves bearing letters between the great houses whisper that Persia (Kowalski) has repulsed a coordinated storm of Alexandria launched by Carthage (MonsterSerg) with formidable allied backing. Siege towers were set ablaze and the assaulting cohorts were driven back in disorder. 'Make room on the wall of fame,' laughed a mason of Persia, 'I have a new name to chisel.' A pall of dread descended upon the streets of Carthage, where weeping families gathered before shuttered doorways.

Perfidy in the Field: Rome (Luis Rodriguez) Double-Crosses Carthage (MonsterSerg) in Cirta

A dark day for martial honor: Rome (Luis Rodriguez) launched a cold-blooded surprise assault upon the forces of Carthage (MonsterSerg) stationed at Cirta. Witnesses recount that banners of friendship were still flying when the first volley of javelins was loosed. Fighting this year ranged over Cyrene, Leptis and Numidia as well. Experts of the rostra are unanimous that the outcome was inevitable, now that it has occurred. Panic swept the marketplace of Carthage, sending merchants fleeing and citizens rushing to secure their goods.

Endless Blood-Strife: Carthage (MonsterSerg) and Rome (Luis Rodriguez) Refuse to Yield

Wax tablets carried by the imperial post confirm that the conflict between Carthage (MonsterSerg) and Rome (Luis Rodriguez) has persisted across 7 campaign seasons, draining treasuries and leaving frontier fields fallow. Neither sovereign will stoop to sue for peace while an army remains in the field. Philosophers in the agora note that glory is eternal, but replacing lost baggage mules and broken oars proves ruinously expensive. 'Words and treaties are merely the garments with which force clothes its naked ambition,' remarked a neutral diplomat.

From Majesty to Dust: The Complete Ruin of Carthage (MonsterSerg)

Customs officers at the harbor chain, questioning every captain, have learned that the once-proud sovereignty of Carthage (MonsterSerg) has collapsed into legend. Without a single walled city left to sustain its banners, the realm's remaining envoys have departed in silence. 'We bled the treasury dry, yet our palisades could not withstand the onslaught,' lamented a weary quartermaster. The senate has voted to thank the gods, with a note that the thanks may be redirected.

An Ancient House Extinguished: The Demise of Greece (Эльф ушастый)

A great silence has descended upon the ancestral sanctuaries of Greece (Эльф ушастый), where altars lie cold and neglected. The state that once commanded vast horizons has vanished like smoke upon the sea wind. 'The wheat will be dear this winter and the wine dearer,' predicted a grain merchant. Patricians in Greece shuttered their villas, mourning the steep erosion of the realm's hard-won dominions.

Carthage (MonsterSerg) strikes 5 cities from its ledger and now claims 0 cities. The realm of Greece (Эльф ушастый) shrinks on the wax tablet by 1 city; only 0 cities still pay tribute. Grain and silver flow abundantly to Persia (Kowalski), adding 2 provinces to stand at 16. The granaries of Rome (Luis Rodriguez) are filling: 4 new provinces pay tribute, and the realm now stands at 18 centres.

An intercepted parchment indicates that generals of Rome and envoys of Persia shared roasted mutton and wine behind the picket lines. Merchants arriving from the east whisper that sea captains of Rome have been quietly escorting cargo galleys belonging to Persia.

Hailstones the size of walnuts hammered the tiled roofs of the camp town, and the horse-lines stampeded.

BATH ATTENDANT WANTED at the Baths of Agrippa. Must be strong, discreet and unafraid of hot water. Board and oil provided.