Chronica Antiqua & The Mediterranean Inquirer

Yesterday's League Broken: Carthage (MonsterSerg) Marches on Egypt (Xenonic) in Alexandria

The league between Carthage (MonsterSerg) and Egypt (Xenonic) has perished in the clash of bronze at Alexandria, shattered by an unexpected thrust from Carthage. Scribes note that the treaties of friendship had barely gathered dust in the archives before the invasion began. 'In my grandfather's day the border ran elsewhere, and in my grandson's it will run elsewhere again,' reflected a surveyor. The poets, as is their habit, will compose odes for whoever pays the better fee.

Carthage (MonsterSerg) Strikes at the Ancestral Hearth: Athens Taken from Greece (Эльф ушастый)

The sacred hearth of Greece (Эльф ушастый) in Athens is cold tonight, occupied by the victorious phalanges of Carthage (MonsterSerg). Magistrates in white robes delivered the bronze keys of the treasury under the watchful gaze of foreign archers. Crowds in Carthage chanted praises to the legions, decking public colonnades with flowers and palm fronds. 'The treasury will be heavy this winter,' predicted a tax farmer, rubbing his hands.

Petra Overrun Anew: Persia (Kowalski) Expels Garrison of Egypt (Xenonic)

Surrendered 2 times to contending banners across this relentless conflict, sovereignty over Petra has once more been rewritten by the spear in favor of Persia (Kowalski) against Egypt (Xenonic). The local elders have exhausted their welcoming speeches and keys of bronze. The senate has voted to thank the gods, with a note that the thanks may be redirected. 'Whether king or archon rules, the price of Egyptian wheat remains governed by the wind,' shrugged a grain factor.

The Bounds of Empire Widen: Carthage (MonsterSerg) Claims 2 Cities

An aggressive offensive doctrine has yielded rich rewards for Carthage (MonsterSerg), which augmented its dominion by 2 cities in a single year. Seasoned commanders attribute the success to daring leadership and flexible logistics. Customs officers at the harbor chain, questioning every captain, have learned that new garrisons are being provisioned without delay. Cartographers at the library have been told to leave generous blank margins on every map until further notice.

The Waning of Egypt (Xenonic): Severe Territorial Losses

In one of the sharpest declines of the war, Egypt (Xenonic) has seen its domain reduced by 2 strongholds within twelve months. Neighboring monarchs are already eyeing the weakened realm for further exploitation. Slaves bearing letters between the great houses whisper that defensive perimeters are being pulled back to protect the core. Sculptors of the forum are said to be carving all new statues with detachable heads, to save time later.

Boundaries Redrawn: Baleares Welcomes Cohorts of Rome (Luis Rodriguez)

A peaceful column of infantry from Rome (Luis Rodriguez) crossed into Baleares and took charge of the public granaries. Neutral city-states have noted the quiet efficiency with which the territory was absorbed. 'The fishing was good today, which is more than the generals can say,' reported a fisherman at the quay. Veterans in the baths note, as they do each year, that the previous war was better organised.

A Clash Across 2 Years: Carthage (MonsterSerg) and Egypt (Xenonic) Locked in Strife

Wine-sellers on the Via Sacra, never short of gossip, assure us that the bitter struggle between Carthage (MonsterSerg) and Egypt (Xenonic) has now raged for 2 years running, with neither sovereign willing to sue for peace. Frontier settlements have been burned and rebuilt until only ashes and stubborn pride remain. Stone carvers in the capital are already growing weary of chiseling new names upon conquered boundary stones. 'Empires rise like the summer tide and recede like the winter ebb,' noted a visiting philosopher in the agora.

An Inherited Hatred: Carthage (MonsterSerg) and Rome (Luis Rodriguez) Lock Shields Once More

Through 2 unrelenting years of bloodshed, Carthage (MonsterSerg) and Rome (Luis Rodriguez) have traded atrocities until neither side remembers what sparked the initial conflict. Camp scribes have run short of wax tablets to record the tally of fallen hoplites. At Delphi the priestess was asked the same question by both camps and gave both the same riddle. 'The mule does not care who owns the cart,' offered a muleteer, flicking his whip.

Ledger-keepers of Carthage (MonsterSerg) write a happy line (+2) and total the realm at 9 strongholds. Empty granaries and shuttered counting-houses in Egypt (Xenonic): down 2 strongholds, to 2 strongholds. The granaries of Rome (Luis Rodriguez) are filling: 1 new province pays tribute, and the realm now stands at 9 centres.

A merchant from the north swears that the wagons of Rome have been repainted in the colours of Greece.

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

FRESH FIGS and dried dates from the Syrian caravan. On sale at the south market stall until they are gone.