QUOTE:
To Marcus Aurelius,
Greetings Consul,
The Kingdom of Pontus offers Rome a treaty of non-aggression to begin 1st May 270 and to end 1st June 267.
I ask you present this offer to your Senate for discussion.
Dreadeye of Pontus.
Roman
Censor readed carefully the document sent by
Alconan Dreadeye a few weeks ago. That diplomatic offer had been a great surprise for the Roman people, as was also the absence of more news later.
Quick departure of eastern heralds had generated concern among some
senatores, however,
Senatus majority had approved that agreement and started inmediately to work and draft an answer which reconciled wishes of the people of
Pontus and commitments of the
Roman Republic. After several sessions, an initial project was finished and
Marcus Aurelius made responsible to send it eastwards, to the capital of
Pontus.
QUOTE:
To Orkan, Lord of Sinope,
and the People of Pontus...
Greetings form the Roman Republic!
Your offer of a Non-Aggression Pact, transmitted by Alconan Dreadeye, has been received with joy among our people. The Senate and People of Rome feels honored by the vote of confidence placed in us after long years of conflict, and expects to be able to repay you this gesture. However, after several discussions among our senators, has been concluded that the numerous diplomatic commitments of the Republic require more detailed clauses to prevent any issue that could put at risk the hard-won peace we both have built.
In the hope of strengthening bonds between our countries, and prevent the Gods of War to drag us back to the battlefields, we offer you the treaty set out below:
- Non-Aggression Pact between the Kingdom of Pontus and the Roman Republic will be in force from July 1st, -270 until July 1st, -267. During that period, diplomatic status between our two nations will be set as Friendly.
- Taking into account that current defensive alliances of the Roman Republic have precedence over this treaty because of their seniority, any military action against the territory of our allies will be considered a breach of the treaty, and will mean an inmediate declaration of war from Rome. Allies of the Roman Republic are: Kingdom of Egypt, Hellenic League, Federation of Etruscan Cities, Raurici and Teutonic Tribes.
- Previous clause shall not apply if one of our allies attacks Pontus. In those circumstances, Kingdom of Pontus will be free to take the necessary measures to defend its territory; although arbitration of Rome could be requested to solve the conflict between both belligerents.
- To prevent any possible problem during the length of this treaty, advance notification will be required for armies of both countries to be allowed to enter provinces neighbouring the other's territory, including Seafields. Absence of such notice will be considered a violation of the treaty, and lead to a declaration of war. This clause shall not apply to current or future allies of both states.
We hope this proposal to be acceptable for the people and rulers of the Kingdom of Pontus, and look forward to your reply.
May Gods be with you and your people...
On behalf of the Senate and People of Rome,
Marcus Aurelius
Senator and Censor of the Roman Republic