I don't have a lot of time to play, so updates will be short and far between.
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Our story begins when Cornelius Scipio is ordered by the Senate to take Syracuse from the Greeks. Rather inexplicably, that august body followed up by suggesting an attack on Lilybaeum (held by Carthage). Understandably reluctant to declare war on He arrived just in time to hear that the Carthaginians had broken their alliance with the Scipii, fearful that the family would side with the other Roman factions, who had declared war on the Punic forces. Cornelius reacted quickly, attacking a Carthaginian army that was skulking around near Messana. Outnumbered 10 to 1, the enemy was unable to put up any form of resistance, and Cornelius drove headlong for Lilybaeum, hoping to catch the city off guard. And so he did, the Roman army descending on the Punic base without warning, and sacking it in short order. Sadly, our leader's enthusiasm got the better of him, and as he rode too far ahead of his infantry in the streets of Lilybaeum, a unit of Carthaginian infantry surrounded him and cut him down. Julianus is now faction leader, something that our family has noted without enthusiasm. He is markedly less competent than his younger brother Gaius. But there was little time to mourn for Cornelius, for the treacherous Greeks took advantage of our absence from Messana to launch a surprise attack on the city. Gaius Scipio led the troops back in two turns, and struck the besieging army in the rear as his brother Quintus sallied out from Messana. Outnumbered nearly 2 to 1, the Greeks tried to escape by cutting through the smaller city force, but Quintus held the line until Gaius' legions came up on the other side, crushing the Greek hoplites. Unfortunately, Quintus was killed in the final minutes of this battle. It should be noted that town watch are completely worthless units, undeserving of the honour of serving the Scipii. The Scipii, as has been noted, have a long memory. And so when we took Syracuse - finally establishing over all Sicily that dominion that that gods have intended for us - 7000 of its inhabitants were massacred, a lesson to all who would dare to betray our family. The battle for this city was not easy, as our hastati had a great deal of trouble with the large number of heavy cavalry employed by the Greeks. Nevertheless, Roman courage prevailed over the well-equipped but spineless Greeks, as was to be expected. An added bonus was the death of their faction leader. He was a fool to think he could challenge the might of the Scipii. The Senate, despite its lack of appreciation for our family's greatness, had the grace to appoint Gaius to the office of Quaestor after his brilliant victories in Sicily. With an extremely high influence rating, Gaius' political career is clearly only beginning. For now, however, he must concentrate on bringing the family out of debt, for Cornelius' financial skills were not extensive... [This message has been edited by Meursault (edited 09-27-2004 @ 02:04 PM).]