Porsenna, the counsellor of foreign affairs, travels to Rome. His Archon Germanicus sent him to negotiate for a treaty with the Romans and to establish friendship between both nations.

QUOTE:
Dear honored Senatorials

We, the etruscan people, want to establish a friendly connection to Rome. Our peoples are of the same cultural sphere and for future we should defend our home, the italian peninsula, together against all potential enemies.

Our suggestion is a nonagression pact between Rome and Etruria. Further we could to suggest a defensive alliance and flexible negotiations about any reason, happening in future. Because we are close to bring some rapidly aid needed by one of our nations.

I will await Your answer patiently.

Salute

Porsenna
counsellor for foreign affairs

After Rome has gotten the Message from the Etruskians, Rome sends a messenger ,too, to Porsenna.
The messenger gives a small scroll to Porsena, in which the following words could be read.

QUOTE:
Dear Porsenna
counsellor for foreign affairs

Rome is currently interested in a diplomacy of Friendship, to your tribe.
About your suggestions. We will accapt a non-aggression-treaty for the moment.
Rome is interested in your province Ravenna or Appenino. We need it to have a direct road into the center of Europe. It would be generous, if your Nations thinks about that. Maybe we can pay you in silver or prommise you, to help your Nation in it`s next war.

Think about and let us know.

Senatus Populusque Romanus
Ildico

Dear ildico

I am glad, that our nations will further go their way in peace .

We can't hand over one of our provinces, because they are all cultivated by our warriors. I hope You will understand, that we can't drive away our warriors from their villages.

But we will guarantee the permission for to went through Etruria. Of course Your armies may went through unannounced. I hope, that the problem is finished with it.

Salute
Porsenna
counsellor for foreign affairs

QUOTE:
Dear Porsenna
The problem is solved.
from now on we can live in peace
Ildico

Dear Ildico

Thank You for understanding and for accepting the compromise. For a long time in peace and trust.

Today I will leave hospitable Rome. It were fine days for me.

Greetings
Porsenna

To the roman senate

Could it be, that You, the roman senatorials, forgot the non agression pact with Etruria? Or why is there a roman army looting our province of Ravenna?

Etruria did'nt have either a disput with Rome nor a declaration of war from Rome. We thought, that our neighbours and cultural relation, the romans are honorable people. But it may be that we are wrong with this judge.

Declare Your intentions please.

The messenger rushed along the narrow streets of the Urbs, looking for the Forum. Some days had passed since he started the journey in Ravenna. At the doors of the Senatorial Curia a centurion stopped him and, after a few words, entered in the hall.

Marcus Aurelius was in a meeting with the Flamen Dialis of Rome, Marcus Aemilius, when the man came into the room and informed him.

- What have you said?!? Find Princeps Senatus Ralen and Consul Egil!! Tell them about...

Centurion went out quickly. A sign and a scribe came in, sat down in near scriptorium, waiting... Marcus Aurelius started to dictate:

QUOTE:

Dear Lars Porsenna,
Counsellor for Foreign Affairs of the Etruscans Nation:

Salve,

Though "non-agression pact" between our nations was signed in troubled times for the Republic with a questioned government , current roman rulers are also unpleasantly surprised about this incident. We have been recently informed about the activities of our army in the province of Ravenna, and cannot already give you an explanation about.

We are trying to clarify circunstances that led our armies there. It seems our last Consul, who has recently left our nation, gave a few orders to our troops before leaving. At this moment, we are investigating this question, but now our diplomatic position has again reverted to Friendly and our legions are marching back to Florenz. I hope these measures reassure you until we have new information.

Awaiting your answer,


Marcus Aurelius
Senator and Censor of the Roman Republic

Marcus took the letter and signed.

- Send it with our faster messenger to etruscan capital in Verona!

A roman messenger went onto the assembly fields of Verona, where Archon Germanicus gives his orders to the gathered army there. The messenger hands over a parchment to the Archon. Germanicus called for his councellor and both walked into the palace to read the surely important message in silence. Later Lars Porsenna dictates an answer.

Meantime the young roman messenger was refreshed with wine and a simple meal. When he finished, an etruscan warrior gave him the answer and a new horse.

QUOTE:
Dear honorable Censor Marcus Aurelius

I see the goodwill in Your letter. Let us be reasonable and we will settle this crisis. Your army have to leave Ravenna immediately and we want the sum of 450 silver for the damage in the province.

Etruria is one part of our italian homeland. The Roman republic is the second part of Italia. Both parts should handle together. So we want live in peace and friendship with Rome .

There is the non-agression-pact, I negotiated with Ildico. The contract was never canceled by Rome. If You want to negotiate about, we will listen to You.

Greetings to the Senate of the Roman Republic

Lars Porsenna
Counsellor for foreign affairs of the Etruscan nation

Some days had gone by since last message from etruscan counsellor, Lars Porsenna, arrived. The conflict was avoided and roman senators had spent time in various debates about his proposals. Etruscan attitude expressed their open mind regarding political situation in the Italian peninsula.

Rome had been involved in so many conflicts in recent times. The Republic needed a break for rebuilding and strenghthening herself before further expansion. Senatus entrusted Marcus Aurelius to continue negotiating, and also Consul Egil and Princeps Senatus Ralen agreed. Some senators had expressed their desire of proposing an exchange with Etruscan nation. After a moment of reflection, Censor began to write...

QUOTE:

To Honorable Lars Porsenna,
Counsellor for Foreign Affairs of the Etruscan Nation:

Roman Republic is pleased because of your reaction about recent incident in Ravenna province, and apologizes for the misunderstanding regarding her armies orders.

As you stated before, "Non-Agression Pact" negotiated with Ildico was never canceled, so is still in force. We've also found, after reviewing our archives in Tabularium, that in those discussions was also expressed roman desire of adding Ravenna to our territory. Though current roman rulers are not interested at this moment in reaffiring that claim, after reading your last message, some senators have proposed that perhaps we could make an arrangement about.

As you had probably seen, a few months ago roman armies crossed the Adriatic Sea for fighting barbarian pirates that menaced our coasts and cutted off our trade from their bases in Istrien. After a hard struggle, corsairs were driven off and our legions took their maritime fortresses, forcing them to surrender and settle in hinterland villages.

Province was annexed and has turned out to be very rich and prosperous, having also important natural resources, mainly silver mines. Nevertheless, it's far away from Rome, crossing the sea, and it's difficult for us to work it conveniently. So that, our proposal is making an exchange between our lands in Istrien and your province of Ravenna. Istrien is bordering with your territory, as Ravenna is with ours, and would be easy for you to exploit its silver mines and develop its infraestructures. We also undertake to send you necessary silver for building there the same structures you had built in Ravenna.

I know you'll have to discuss it with your leader, Germanicus, and the other etruscan principals, but I hope you will see the advantages of this agreement for both sides. I look forward to the decision of the Etruscan Nation.

May Iuppiter Optimus Maximus be with you!!


Marcus Aurelius
Senator and Censor of the Roman Republic

Dear honorable Censor Marcus Aurelius

Something happened in the last days. Our Archon Germanicus abdicated as Archon and is the new counsellor, while I became the new Archon of Etruria.

So I confirm too, that the nonaggression pact between the Republic of Rome and Etruria is still in force.

I remember that Idico asked for a province, but we refused her request at this time, what she had accepted. So You can't fairly claim the province of Ravenna.

I will be truthful about it. There are some circumstances which seems the change unfavorable to Etruria. The main problem is that Istria is far away and can't protected fast, while Ravenna is close to Verona. Etruria will only accept the change, if the Roman Republic either will help to defend Istria or to reconquer it, if it will be necessary in future.

If we would cede Ravenna to Rome and accede Istria in change under this terms, how many silver will the Roman Republic hand over to Etruria for to build the infrastructure there? Or what kind of infrastructure had been built by the Roman Republic?

Greetings

Lars Porsenna,
Archon of Etruria