Empire Time - Turn Two (340-330 BC)

Situation in 340 BC

The revolt dice land 3-1, meaning 'Asia' throws off Persian rule.

This is the first turn in which Richard's Macedonians are led by Alexander. As a great captain, he conducts five campaigns in a turn, rather than the usual one, receives a +2 modifier for each campaign, and does not suffer a -1 modifier for attacking a controlled province that is not a homeland (in Alexander's case, the last bonus only applies if the Macedonians occupy Graecia, which is one reason why it made sense for him to attack Graecia last turn).

What all this adds up to is that Richard will conquer five provinces this turn, provided he does not roll a 1, and he duly takes Thracia, 'Asia', Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia (the last is not the Persians' homeland - that is adjacent Parthia).

Richard is apparently following my strategy in our last game, when, as the leader of Macedonia, I decided to eliminate the Persian player by capturing his homeland, and only then going after other provinces, such as double-scoring AEGYPTUS. Richard obviously thinks the strategy is sound, even though I finished fourth!

Andy's Persians are drawn next, and he tries to retake Persia, but fails with a 1.

Reg switches his attentions from Gallia to Sicilia, but the naval crossing ends in disaster (he rolls a 2, one less than the minimum required).

Finally, I consolidate Roman control of ITALIA by rolling a 1 (I needed to roll less than the turn number).

Both the Romans and Macedonians have got off to what are probably their best possible starts