Summing Up Our Revival Of Philip Sabin's Empire

AT the halfway stage, it may be remembered, the Carthaginians were having their best game in our series, and the Romans their worst.

Since only the Romans can realistically attack the Carthaginians, it was looking good for the latter.

But Carthage's homeland was conquered by the Romans, just as my Persian homeland was conquered by the Macedonians.

We both successfully sparked a rebellion to regain our independence, but there the similarity ended.

AFRICA was swiftly recaptured by the Romans, while I was able to regain my homeland of Parthia and gradually expand westwards.

I did just enough to pip Carthage for first place, with the Romans and Macedonians hot on our heels.

Here are the updated standings (four points for a win, three for coming second, etc.

ME

Game One: 3pts (Carthaginians)
Game Two: 3.5pts (Romans)
Game Three: 4pts (Persians)
Game Four: 1pt (Macedonians)

Game Five: 4pts (Persians/Parthians)
Total: 15.5pts

ANDY
Game One: 4pts (Macedonians)
Game Two: 3.5pts (Persians/Parthians)
Game Three: 3pts (Romans)
Game Four: 2.5pts (Carthaginians)

Game Five: 2pts (Romans)
Total: 15pts

REGULAR OPPONENT
Game One: 1pt (Persians/Parthians)
Game Two: 2pts (Carthaginians)
Game Three: 1pt (Macedonians)
Game Four: 4pts (Romans)

Game Five: 3pts (Carthaginians)
Total: 11pts

RICHARD JOHNSON
Game One: 2pts (Romans)
Game Two: 1pt (Macedonians)
Game Three: 2pts (Carthaginians)
Game Four: 2.5pts (Persians/Parthians)

Game Five: 1pt (Macedonians)
Total: 8.5pts

SCORES BY PEOPLES
Persians/Parthians: 15pts

Romans: 14.5pts
Carthaginians: 12.5pts
Macedonians: 8pts

The main points:

*I have overtaken Andy by the narrowest of margins.

*Both my outright wins have come in command of the Persians/Parthians, including game three where Parthia never fell and so my people were Persians throughout.

*Richard will be pleased not to get the Macedonians again for some time - both his fourth-placed finishes have come with them.

*Looking at the peoples' stats, the Persians/Parthians are close to having scored twice as many points as the Macedonians.

*But the Macedonians have won a game outright - only the Carthaginians have failed to do so.