The Empire Strikes Back: Turn 10 (260-250 BC)

Situation in 260 BC

Victory points are awarded at the end of this turn (and again at the end of turn 20), so it is the chance for Rome and Macedon (currently on "nul points") to catch up the established empires of the Carthaginians and Persians/Parthians, who start on 12 victory points.

The revolt dice (3-4) fall on independent Illyria, and so have no effect.

Carthage is drawn first, and attacks Sicilia, easily completing the naval crossing but rolling 4 for the attack-proper, which fails thanks to a -1 modifier for attacking a controlled province and a further -1 for attacking outside of Carthage's starting empire.

The Parthians invade Syria, but roll 1.

The Macedonians roll 6 and so at last reconquer 'Asia'.

The Romans attack Gallia, succeeding despite native unrest as I roll 6.

The Macedonians and Romans have expanded at a critical moment

Victory Points

Carthage picks up five victory points, thanks to controlling AFRCIA, IBERIA and Numidia, taking its total to 17.

The Romans get three points for having a consolidated ITALIA, and a further four for controlling Sicilia, Magna Graecia, Cisalpina and Gaul. That gets Rome's campaign off to a seven-point start.

The Macedonian successor states control seven provinces, including the double-points scoring AEGYPTUS and INDIA. That means nine victory points.

The Parthians have five provinces, taking their total to 17 victory points, the same as Carthage.

At the halfway stage it is the Romans and Persians/Parthians who visually are doing best

It is perhaps worth comparing this run-through's scores with the previous games - one solo, one four-player - I posted on this blog.

                                 Carthaginians...Persians/Parthians...Macedonians...Romans
Current                               17                       17                           9                   7
Previous Four-Player         17                       12                          11                  5
Solo                                    17                       12                          14                  5

It can be seen that Andy's Persians/Parthians and my Romans are prospering compared with the previous runs-through, the Carthaginians are holding steady and the Macedonians are struggling.