Empire: Turn 17 (190-180 BC)

Situation in 190 BC

INDIA is chosen again in the revolt phase, but is already independent so there is no effect.

Carthage is drawn to campaign first, and this time succeeds in retaking Sicilia, last under Carthaginian control some 80 years ago.

Rome is up next. A quick calculation shows that if things end as they stand now, Carthage gains four victory points, taking its total to 21, while the Macedonians gain eight victory points, taking their total to 22. Meanwhile the Romans stand to gain 10 victory points, leaving them trailing on 15, which is also what the Persians/Parthians stand to finish on. Rome needs to keep expanding, but ideally at the expense of both Carthage and the Macedonians. The good news for the Romans is that for the final four turns they receive a +1 modifier for recently having a great captain and a further +1 for being a on turns 11-20 without a great captain. The bad news for them is they can only launch one campaign a turn, and this turn they decide to attack Thracia, easily conquering it with a 6.

The Parthians attack Mesopotamia, rolling a 5 and so succeeding despite a -1 modifier for attacking a controlled province.

Carthage attacks IBERIA, as there is no -1 modifier for attacking outside the original Carthaginian empire and IBERIA counts as two victory points. Rolls of 6 for the sea-crossing and 5 for the land campaign see IBERIA fall, seriously bringing into question the Roman decision not to destroy Carthage when Scipio seemed to have the opportunity.

The Macedonians fail in an attack on Thracia.

Cato warned that Carthage "must be destroyed" - it seems he was right