Lucius leant back quietly in his seat and started to read the letter had just received. It was a new dawn for Rome, after the struggles of the War of Brothers, and bad news were no longer to be feared...

QUOTE:

For Lucius Aurelius Atticus, Administrator of the Gens Aurelia.
Via Appia, near Porta Capena, Vallis Camenarum, City of Rome

May Gods be with you!

I hope this letter finds you and your family in the best. As I already told you in my previous missive, bearer of this message carries some documents for being archived and preserved in the Tabularium of the Republic, as well as sealed copies for my own archive.

Campaign is being far less complex than initially planned. Our army is now in Campania. As I explained in my previous letters, our progress in neapolitan territory found practically no opposition. Our greek allies from Neapolis and Cumae opened their gates for restored Republic troops, and only some bandit groups came to meet us while we were marching to Capua.

In Abruzzo province opposition was somewhat higher, its forests and ravines have always been loyal allies for their unruly tribes, and we lost many soldiers in ambushes tended to our passage through mountain roads and crossings of its numerous streams. However, once reached main settlement in Bovianum, just one defeat was enough for them to once again recognize our supremacy, and their leaders quickly swear allegiance to our eagles. Consul Ildico, with the agreement of our Princeps Senatus Ralen, refrained from imposing harsh punishment on the rebels and region has regained its citizenship and benefits of Roman Law.

A week ago, army took the road again, and now we are camped by the gates of our colony in Venusia, from where I write, and that welcomed us with open arms. Although Campania remains largely peaceful and prosperous, our troops had to deal yesterday with some marauding from across Tyrrhenian Sea who, taking advantage of our absence, have tried to loot our former colonies and our samnites allies cities. It was a bloody struggle that required all skill of our men. Even the Praetores Elendil, The Mummy, Gaius Octavius and Marcus had to use all their composure to maintain discipline among their troops. However, final victory was in our side, and both Ildico and Ralen distributed for great names in the Republic many decorations, phalerae, armillae: Tiberius Magnus, Artorius Castus, Eirene Pullo... Even recently promoted Aeneas received a torc for his courage in the field.



Now, our progress has stopped again. Orders from Consul Egil requested us to wait while organization and colonization of reconquered lands consolidates. Ralen and Ildico agree with him, and are planing meantime our further movements south and east. I wish to return to Tarantum! I have received letters from our allies asking for roman standards waving in their city walls. Well...

Best wishes my friend. I will write you again soon.


Salve Roma!!


Marcus Aurelius
Senator of the Roman Republic

It was late in the night. Marcus Aurelius hardly had managed to fall sleep, but it was an hectic and worried sleep.

Finally, senator opened his eyes and got up. Pictures of his dreams still came and went in his mind. He had been dreaming of the past, of the bloody battles of the War of the Brothers, the civil struggle which plunged Rome in chaos and made him and his fellow citizens to take the arms in defense of the Republic.

Marcus got dressed and went out for a walk in the domus gardens. Much time has passed since last battle. It was a difficult task create a lasting peace and a new Constitution that allows Roman Republic to recover and consolidate, regaining her former provinces and prestige.



He looked up in the sky... Roman nights were so warm and clear, thousands of stars twinkled and Diana, dressed up in her best robes of Full Moon, seemed to push the Urbs in a peacefull embrace.

Marcus went back to bed and rested...

------------------------------------------------------

The morning was busy, as usual, in the Censor office. Marcus Aurelius spent time reviewing projects, reports, maps and letters. He had a meeting with Marcus Aemilius, Flamen Dialis of Rome, to prepare every ceremony for the Games that soon were going to celebrate in Rome the new rise of the Republic. Also the consuls Egil and Aeneas, after consulting Princeps Senatus Ralen, had been discussing with him about population problems in Italy. Much land and villages had been claimed by the roman armies in recent times but, despite of Republic efforts building infraestructures, there were only a few settlers to dwell and work them. Rome need more citizens to grow and prosper...

He was about to go home, but a messenger came into the room and hand him a roll of papyrus. Marcus watched carefully he letter, it had an strange seal, a beautiful and stylized eye. He was going to call an interpreter, but when opened the letter realized it was written in latin.



A smile appeared in his face... finally, news from his former comrades, and just in time. The Games were going to start next day and would be a good chance to thank Roman Gods for that present.

Senate session had been long and arduos. There were many questions to deal, many different opinions from various gentes and families of the Republic. Events in last days had inmersed Rome in a state of excitement and nervousness. City squares were full of activity, people gathered in cliques to talk about latest news from Southern Italy, about Cilicians war declaration, and recent recruitment and calls to arms...



As went by the streets, Marcus Aurelius watched his fellow citizens' faces; even having had to overcome so many difficulties, obstacles and struggles in the past, their faces still showed hope and confidence, but also a subtle restleness.

Marcus stopped in front of stall. There were some scrolls over the table, some of them written in Greek, others in Punic, one of them even seem to be written in Aramaic characters. Salesman was a slim middle-aged man, his hair a bit grayed but with sturdy hands and arms, and he was unequivocally greek, as his accent showed inmediatly, probably native from one of the ancient greek colonies of Magna Graecia. Senator spent a few moments talking with him. The man, Cineas, was worried about current state of affairs between Roman Republic and Hellenic nation.

- For heaven's sake!!!! It's unbelievable... so many years fighting and suffering hardship, barbarians, bandits, Ildico's coup, and now that everything was again OK... somebody comes to mess it up!!

Marcus tryed to calm Cineas down; Senatus had nothing against greeks roman citizens, he reassured him, and only Gods knew how current conflict was going to end but, for sure Rome will finally be victorious again! Cineas smiled.

After buying a punic treaty On Farming, Marcus took his way again, heading for his villa. There was a lot of diplomatic mail waiting for him in his table; many were the friend countries which offered their help, and they all deserve an appropriate answer.



--------------------------------------

It was a really muggy morning. Fog clung to roman streets and alleys, unwilling to turn back to Tiber course, and only some sunbeams exceeded the Praenestini Montes. Urbs woke up lazy and tired...

Last day had witnessed a great activity. Collegium Fetialium carried out the traditional rituals to officialy declare war on Cilician, Hellenic and Carthaginian nations. Carefully watched by Senators, Consuls and ordinary citizens, priests pronounced the different ritual expressions demanding Gods' support, recounting enemy crimes against the Roman People and, finally, throwing a sacred javelin into their territory.

Meanwhile, Campus Martius had been taken by military officers in charge of organizing the new legionary recruits in centuriae and manipuli, giving them equipment and weapons, arranging the new legions itinerary for Southern Italy...

Senate session in the evening was even much harder than previous, discussing roman strategy for the war, electing legions commanders and army generals to lead roman weapons until the final victory.



Marcus thought about that, while his horse moved along the street towards the Porta Capena and Via Appia. Ralen, Egil, Aeneas and many other roman senators and praetors were next to him, followed by narrow lines of legionaries, completely armed and equipped. When finally came out of his reverie, he was straight down the gate arch, looking at nymph Aegeria relief. In ancient times that water spirit helped Numa Pompilius in making Rome strong, powerful and close; perhaps being under her look was a good omen for coming days...

Marcus Aurelius stood before his tent, in the middle of the roman camp. In front of him were the strong walls of Hyria, ancient capital of the Mesapii. It had been a few time since the war started with the armies assembled at campanian coasts, carefully watching each other, trying to discover enemy strategies and moves.



Soon after Shazir's declaration of war, messengers from Etruscan nation in Northern Italy reached the Urbs. Lars Porsenna, Lucumo of the Etruscan Cities, was also worried about Cilician presence in Western Mediterranean and suggested the idea of signing a compromise for the defense of the Italian lands.

Roman Senatus, always reluctant to foreign offers and adventures out of his territory, spent a long time discussing about the pros and cons of the question, and many meetings and letters were necessary to finally get the pact signed. A week later, while roman legions leave the capital towards Campania, phalanxes from Etruscan Cities marched down the Aemilia and Flaminia Via to join their new allies in Magna Graecia.

Meanwhile, Shazir wasn't idle, new troops from the South conducted by Carthaginian leaders joined Cilician fleet in the Adriatic Sea; though Hellenic contingent seemed not to have left their territory.

The following battle was hard and bloody, huge because of massive amounts of galleys involved. Neither Rome nor Etruria were seafaring nations, their fleets had been recently built taking an old carthaginian trireme as a model, and they went through a lot during the battle while Cilician Corsairs, honouring their fame of seasoned sailors, seemed to come out of every direction.



Ships collide everywhere, rams opened enemy ships side, sending their crews to Neptune's Kingdom, while in their decks soldiers and warriors, sailors and corsairs, leaders and privates fought for their lives desperately.

Just in the middle of the encounter, when none of the opposing sides still knew if the day was his or not, some new sails appeared north in the horizon. Their horned prow figureheads reveal them as germanic vessels, and their maroon coloured sails drive them straightly toward Cilician ships, avoiding Roman and Etruscan vessels.

Teutonic warriors proved to be wonderful fighters. Renewed the battle, enemy lines began to disband, and after a tenacious resistance, Cilician vessels started to retreat under the protection of the upcoming night.

After reaching again the harbour, new plans and strategies were traced, and a few days later, a combined fleet of Romans, Etruscans and Teutons set sails eastwards, searching for Cilician enemy. Teutonic leader Sigfried, Lars Porsenna, Lucumo of Etruria, and Ralen, Princeps Senatus of the Roman Republic, conducted the squadron.

Marcus Aurelius' glance wandered around the gates of the city... Not everything had been good news that day. Messengers from the south announced an incursion in Apulia. Roman militia had been decimated there and Cilician invasors, after a quick raid, had boarded back in their light ships, following their main fleet back home. Nevertheless, many enemy mercenary warriors stayed in the province, looting villages and cities... making refugees fleed for Campania.



While his brothers headed for Eastern Mediterranean, a roman legion led by Consul Aeneas, made its way to crush rebels and sackers and restore roman law there. Roman Censor joined the army, Apulia had been his first province. As he had told Shazir some time ago, he had a debt to pay with Mars and War God was recovering it with interests.

It had been difficult to track down the enemy, but eventually, under command of new Consul Denis Cicic, and helped by some of the most experienced senators of the Republic: Aelius Decimus, ex-Consul Egil, praetor Elendil... mercenaries were trapped in that ancient city, sentenced to starve to death in the siege.



Marcus Aurelius looked up in ths sky, there was an eagle flying over the roman camp. He smiled, Iuppiter Optimus Maximus seemed to be happy with the Republic. Just in that moment, horns started to blow, city gates opened slowly, a herald dressed in white clothes came out...

Hyria surrendered to roman legions.

Marcus Aemilius walked slowly, leaned on his cane, along the street. Rome was again a busy, active and worked up city. Though a few months ago streets were empty, deserted, while roman people languished waiting for news from Africa and the East; now citizens filled them again, coming and going in their daily routines. Markets were crowded, and traders and merchants made their voices heard promoting their products; thermae were again full of life and you could see at their entrance people talking and joking, waiting for their turn. Even different temples of the Urbs had recovered their jovial and live air, far away from that gloomy and sorrowful of the war days; and Circus Maximus had started again its races, and White faction had won last matches. It seemed that Mars had quenched his triumph thirst, to the dismay of those supporters of Red chariots.



Although only a few days had passed since the return of Ralen's army, and even not having still accounted for his campaing in Cilicia, the City had been comsumed by good news fire. Everybody knew about victories in the East against Cilician Corsarirs, everybody knew about Shazir's and Malak's iron resistance, and everybody knew already about last battle between Etruscans and Barbarians in Kirsehir; so, Senate session that afternoon was only a stage to keep ancient traditions, a way to finally put an end in that conflict, and also a mean to honor those Northern Warriors who had helped the Republic so much in her need times, and now had came to Rome with Princeps Senatus.

Marcus Aemilius quietly came into the Curia, and sat in his bench, surrounded by most of the senior members, having a look around. Soon after, Teutonic leaders Sigfried and Wolfgar, singularly invited to that meeting, came in and took a seat. An instant later, lictores closed the gates and took place on both sides of the Altar, where Capitoline Wolf, next to those sculptures of Romulus and Remus, seemed to be gazing at the scene.

In total silence, Princeps Senatus stood up and walked in the middle of the room, facing up his comrades:

QUOTE:
"Patres Conscripti, magna mihi copia est memorandi quae reges atque populi ira aut misericordia inpulsi male consuluerint... "

Ralen's speech began with our naval battle in Ionian Sea against Cilician and Carthaginian fleet. He described in great detail the number of enemy ships and their characteristics, praising their commanders and men who manned them. After reviewing also our own forces, new triremes of our fleet and their rowers, our sailors and our troops on board, explained vivid and exhaustively every point of the fight, enumerating those heroic deeds performed both by our legionaries and praetors, and also by our Etruscan allies, who still now were turning back from the East.

Hardest fightings took place on the decks of Lady Fineae, Artorius and Elendil's ships, and outstanding enemy captains, as Rosenkreuz, Alconan, Jarucha or Galoglas, showed signs of an extraordinary endurance. Princeps Senatus talked also about individual duels between both sides greatest warriors: Lars Porsenna, Shazir, Germanicus, Aelius Decimus, Tiglatpilesar... and many others, who clashed roughly in every new assault.

He talked about the most dangerous moments in the battle, when everything was hanging by a thread until Teutonic vessels appeared from the North, reviving Roman and Etruscan armies. Northern ships, under Sigfried and Wolfgar command, pressured enemy fleets flank, lightening the fight in the middle of the field. Names like Vukovar and Ragnar, brave Teuton leaders, became know that day, and also common warriors as mahoma, Titus Aurelius, Freya or Helene achieved a place in chronicles.

Finally, our main contingent was able to break enemy formation, making their fleet retreat to gather and reorganize their forces for further actions: Cilician landing in Apulia, Carthaginian fleet return to Africa, Shazir's crossing back home...

Ralen explained how our legions splitted up later to fight Cilicians in the East and Carthaginians in Africa; outlining following battles and constant pursuit, with numerous skirmishes between fastest ships, those of Crow, Lady Zhib, Azkar, Mogemak, Malak, Sabina... In one of those incidents, Atlan's northern vessel managed to capture 2 enemy freights, without casualties; while Giedrius got beat a large group of enemies with his bare hands.



Once in Asia Minor, our enemies entrenched in their cities and harbours, employing guerrilla tactics to slow down our advance. While Roman and Teutonic troops set sail to Cyprus, Etruscan contingent landed in Adana, whose walls were besieged by Pontius while Opa Kralle and Georgicus, following Lars' strategy, moved into Kirsehir, surrounding and defeating both Cilician and Barbarian armies, and fighting inch by inch to reach Shazir's motherland.

Meanwhile Teutonic warriors, supported by Ralen's army, fought fiercely against Shazir's main army in Cyprus. After a great battle in its eastern province, where a counterattack of Gundrun and Kuki's troops saved a supply convoy from being captured, our forces moved to Polis and laid siege on Cilicians main base. There, while Nedeam and Eadgils kept enemy warriors away from our lines, Princeps Senatus' army started to build catapults, ballistae, battering rams and siege towers to break down the walls, forcing our enemies to finally abandon the fortress.



Marcus Aemilius heard attentively that account; were good news indeed, even not having yet any from African Campaign and the fate of Roman legions there. Nevertheless, there was still a doubt in Flamen Dialis' mind. Why those Northern Warriors, veteran and harsh soldiers, had traveled all along the world, far away from their territory, to help the Republic in that arduous conflict?

He looked around, looking for Sigfried's eyes, and there was the answer...

"It was a matter of Faith"

QUOTE:
To the Roman Senatus:

Reconnaisance cohorts report on the withdrawal of enemy troops from occupied territory in Etruria. Convoys of supplies have been sent to help people of Apenninno to rebuild their villages and infrastructures.

Our scouts on the front inform of skirmishes between Dacians and tribes from Southern Alps, and also against fresh troops came from Liguria, Celtiberia and Sicily. Ban's warriors seem to be turning back home.

Tiberius Sempronius
Comander of the Roman Garrison in Arretium

Marcus Aemilius finished reading that document. That was the last dispatch of the conflict that confronted Rome with Dacians. In recent days he had been reading the History of that conflict, including both official documents and hundreds of parchment sheets full of rumors about troop movements and war preparations collected from merchants, travelers, hunters and other people. Also had been reviewing diplomatic correspondence held with allies during the war.

It had been a hard work, but a letter from Marcus Aurelius received a few days before asked for a summary of that documents. Censor didn't explain what was the objective of this work, but Aemilius could understand his friend's intention. Rome had been at war for too long and probably, during all those marches and countermarches in Phrygia, Denis, Marcus Aurelius, and our Consules Dacamaca and Spartacus, had concluded that it was time for peace to turn back in the North.

Sun was rising slightly over the horizon, revealing forms and shadows along the Pactolus Valley. From top of a hill, allied leaders looked over enemy forces and their camp, preparing their tactical arrangements for the battle, working out moves and strategies to flank Phrygian squadrons while at their feet, next to the river course, innumerable groups of soldiers were preparing their equipments, polishing their armours and sharpening their weapons for the fight.



Denis and Spartacus drew and drew back on the ground movements for allied cavalry, while Dacamaca studied terrain configuration, and Lucius and Elpis estimated range of their composite bows in that place and conditions. Marcus Aurelius preferred leaving battle organization to experts warriors. He had been awake until the wee hours of the morning, reading reports sent by Marcus Aemilius about Dacian War, and drafting a peace offer to Queen Dareia, sent to Ephesos port with a messenger that morning. While he was walking down the slope of the hill, his mind wandered around the begining of that conflict.

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Denis had recounted him with a wealth of detail how Phrygians army appeared before his camp in Epirus some months ago. Roman legions had just finished the conquer of the province, wining that difficult territory for the Republic. Senatus had decided to do so because of the various menaces that had come to Rome from there in the past: Cilician Corsairs, Greeks, Dacian Warriors...

However, not having yet reorganized those lands, and without having replaced losses in previous battle, a new enemy had appeared from nowhere, surrounding roman castrum without prior notice. Although Princeps Senatus had waited for a few days a signal from newcomers, no herald had reached camp gates, and no diplomatic contact had been received. Marcus remembered that, after reading first reports in Rome, he had sent a message for Ishabell, leader of the Amazons, although no proper answer was received from her.

Next day, sound of war horns woke up roman soldiers, and enemy assault on camp palisade started quickly, surprising our sentinels, overwhelmed by sudden appearance of a women army, fully armed and equipped for war. After first chaotic moments, senators and centurions as SRBZILA, Vejn or DekiRedmanius, began to reorganize our forces to resist the attack. Fights spread out throughout the camp and champions on both sides were dueling here and there: frajla, Therogy, KvaKva, Byzas, andrikos, Cassandra, Ares...

Situation was untenable. Our legionnaires had their backs to the wall, pressed into the flanks by numerous enemies, lacking space to move. After a quick meeting, Denis and Dacamaca decided only option was to withdraw and leave the camp, reorganizing their forces later, in open field. Fuse and Augustus Lucilius Crassus were in charge of distraction maneuvers at the ends of the castrum, while some detachments under command of Livia Drusilla Daniela, Dostojevskie and Chuma went out and secured positions there. Anyway, enemy seemed much more interested in plundering tents than in pursuing roman army in retreat. Nikola Rajko became that day hero retrieving legionary aquila before leaving.



Outside, only a few skirmishes annoyed our soldiers, who fortified themselves near a Temple of Zeus. By nightfall, fighting ceased, and new day revealed enemy absence, going to embark on a fleet in the Ionian Sea.

Rome was immersed in Consular Elections when news about Phrygian attack and Denis' retreat northwards arrived. Marcus Aurelius and senior senators of the Republic, gathered in a meeting, launched first emergency measures to deal with the new thread, confirmed a few days later by Spartacus, new Consul, now in charge of roman armies in Italy.



First reports indicated enemies were embarking on Epirus coast to set sail to Italy so, in anticipation, Legio X Equestris was sent to a forced march to Campania, joining there Legio X Fretensis, and taking a stand to stop an invasion that remembered much to that of Shazir many years before. Meanwhile, Spartacus went across the Adriatic to take command in Legio I Adiutrix, marching south to join Denis in Dalmatien.

At the same time a new army was raised in the Urbs, Legio VIII Augusta, whose orders were to defend Central Italy coasts; while messengers were sent to praetor The Mummy in Algiers, telling him to embark Legio II Sabina and set sail back to Rome. Also a warning was sent to Etruscan allies in the North, menaced because of their recent war with Phrygia, and to every roman watch tower, to obtain reports on Phrygian fleet movements.

Enemy attitude remained however elusive in following weeks, moving up and down Italian coasts without any real attempt to land, and also not trying to break Roman-Etruscan blockade of the Adriatic Sea.



While diplomatic messengers came and went between Rome and Verona, and scouts, spies and informers sent reports from around the Mediterranean; Phrygians fleet wandered in Ionian Sea, perhaps unable to decide how to continue their campaign.

And then, suddenly, disappeared...

Inexplicable disappearance of our enemy fleet had baffled both Etruscans and Romans. In the overnight, both phrygian war galleys and troop transports had left Ionian Sea, and even light vessels had stopped their skirmishes and gone. The answer arrived at Ostia harbour a few days later in a ship from Egypt with royal standard at the bow, and with a message from Lucius Verinus in its hold. In his letter Lucius told that his spies had briefed him on Phrygians invasion plans and, although could not warn us in time for the defense, he had ordered his troops to return fire moving to enemy motherland to attract back home their armies. On the other hand, Pharaoh also asked for our support because of the difficult situation he will be inmersed in after Ishabell's army return home, requesting roman fleet and legions assistance to finally crush that constant menace.

The Republic gave a quick answer to egyptian request. The same afternoon, Senate issued a senatus consultum allowing both Consules to leave Italy with Princeps Senatus to lead conflict in the East. A message was also sent northwards to inform Lars Porsenna of the current state of affairs and ask for his help in the ongoing campaign. Etruscans still had some unresolved disputes with the enemy after last war. Only three legions were mobilized for the campaign, while the others remained in defense of the provinces under its various commanders and the Urbs was confided to the custody of Legio II Sabina and its veteran commander The Mummy.



It was a long way to Phrygia, so it was decided etruscan fleet will take advantage of her light and well designed ships, reaching Asia the sooner the better to join Lucius in his siege of Halicarnassus, in Burnu province. Roman fleet was too large to keep up and would need some more time to reach Aegean shores.

Once there, news told us about deeds of our allies against the enemy. Etruscan and egyptian warriors as Germanicus, Sabina, Titus Pullo or Elpis had distinguised themselves reaching top of the huge walls of the greek city under enemy fire, while others like Aelius Decimus or Pontius the Samnite had been able to damage enemy catapults and ballistae almost without help. Etruscan Queen Lady Fineae had become famous because of facing in combat some of the great Amazon warriors: Zara, Diana and Morrigan. And even Ishabell herself had become a familiar face among our troops for her ferocity in battle.



After the arrival of our legions, conflict evolved in a serie of comings and goings across length and breadth of Phrygia, taking and taking again towns and villages, small fortresses and citadels, while greek cities in the Aegean coasts kept shut away in their walls under our fleet surveillance.

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Sound of horns and drums took Marcus Aurelius out of his reflections. Decisive battle was about to begin in that valley. Roman Censor pulled down his helmet and turned back to the top of the hill to receive latest orders...

- Patres conscripti...

Marcus Aemilius, Flamen Dialis of Rome, stood up between the rows of the Curia and walked to the center of the hall, holding a scroll of papyrus in his hand.

I've received only a few hours ago a letter from our Censor, Marcus Aurelius, arrived this morning from Phrygia. I know not even a week has passed since we received and discussed in this House latest report from our Consuls regarding progress of our eastern campaign. However, because of the contents of this letter, I ask my peers for permission to proceed and read...

Marcus waited until rumors quelled among senators and, having no opposition, unrolled the letter and started reading:

QUOTE:
For Marcus Aemilius Regillus, Senator and Flamen Dialis of Rome
Vicus Iugarius, near Forum Holitorium, Velabrum, City of Rome


May Gods be with you my friend!

I haven't written you for some time, but I hope you will understand that campaign daily tasks do not let me spend my time as I want as much as I wanted. You already probably know, thanks to our Consules Dacamaca and Spartacus reports, this conflict has proved to be more difficult than we anticipated at first. Although with our arrival most of the greek cities of the Aegean coast raised rebellion flag and sent us ambassadors complaining about excesses of their phrygian governors, villages inside have proved more reluctant to accept our presence, and only with our armies at the gates have agreed to grant safe passage to their capital and give us minimal resupply. Though different tribes in this country are constantly fighting each other, they do not seem willing to accept foreign interference to solve their grievances. Queen Ishabell doesn't seem to be nothing more than a remote and revered figure, without specific authority, nevertheless that mythical invincibility of her Amazons still keeps their poor population fearful and static to her activities.

You have probably been already informed of our movements, so I won't bore you enumerating our marches, skirmishes and battles. Interior of this territory is rugged and difficult to control out of river valleys. Phrygians themselves have only a nominal control, settling their power on the coasts, in their provinces of Burnu, Ephesos and Smyrna. However, although all them have fallen in our hands, and even after Nicomedia, in the north, beyond her capital of Nicea, expelled its garrison, Ishabell refuses to make peace.

It's been three weeks since our armies met in Hermus valley. It was a battle worthy of an epic poem, like those of the ancient times. Although our front was more extensive, combining roman manipuli, egiptian regiments and etruscan phalanxes, our enemy was able to withstand our onslaught making his ranks narrower and prolonging his lines to prevent flanking. Amazons resistance is extraordinary, some of them were able to stand without help and outnumbered the brunt of some of our more novice centuriae. Our allies were also up to par, Egyptians cavalry and light war chariots led by Helena managed to overwhelm enemy defenses on the left and kill their archers; while Etruscans Royal Guard commanded by Hermine crossed their lines at several points and attacked the enemy from its rear.



As for our men, though I know that our Princeps Denis has already sent a list of decorations awarded in the battlefield, I'll tell you Septimius Bassus, Chuma, Kratos and Silvia excelled for their ferocity, and Aelius Plautius made his inexperienced troops move launching their standards to enemy land, encouraging them to its recovery. Also our cavalry, in pursuit of our retreating enemy, captured an enemy supply train, and Ashraf and Olivera faced the best warriors of the phrygian leaders Myrquida and Cassandra.

Anyway, none of this has done little. Despite his defeat, enemy refuses to enter negotiations. We've been two weeks camped out, awaiting an answer from Ishabell to Lucius' peace offer without success, even taking into account that it doesn't contain territorial or economic demands. Allied Council is divided. Lucius is in favor of staying and continue the fight for some time; but after last meeting it's been decided to take the road back and leave Phrygia. You'll probably receive our Consuls report regarding this in a few days. Details still need to be finalized, and it's unclear what to do with greek populations who joined us. Lucius has offered to give asylum and provide them lands in Egypt, but also manny of them seem to be interested in crossing the Aegean Sea with our fleet. There's a new leader in Greece so many years after Dogun's death, a young general called Serbo Makaridov has managed to bring together various poleis and is trying to restore Hellenic domain.

About those news from the North you mentioned in your last letter, we have had some here too. A few days ago I received a letter from Sigfried. He told me, inter alia, that after a long series of internal disputes, some of his people had begun to migrate beyond their borders in search of new lands and pastures, led by a veteran mercenary named Eadgils. Wolfgar explained to me some time ago that this is not unusual among northern tribes, occasionaly scarcity of land or food makes handfuls of men choose a new leader and depart in search of new opportunities. I've also been talking with Queen Elpis, in charge of egyptian foreign affairs, and though I cannot say it for sure, I think these emigrants are the core group of a new people, Sarmatians, who has emerged in northern shore of the Pontus Euxinus. Our Egyptian allies have heard about them recently, but still so not know anything about their culture, customs or politics.



Well my friend, these are more or less the news that I can refer from the other side of Mediterranean Sea. I'd like to send you better news, but these days Gods do not let us catch sight at the fate of Rome. Hopefully, all these bloody conflicts that have pursued us in recent years have had some sense. Our Republic, and her people, needs peace and recovery.

I sincerely hope this letter finds you healthy and in perfect condition. I send you my blessings, as well as your friends and family, and especially your beautiful sister. I hope we can meet soon.

Salve Roma!

Marcus Aemilius kept that last paragraph for himself, knowing it had no public interest, and sat down again to make way for the discussions of his peers.