Uniting Greece
Now, let's see, where did we leave off?
Of course. The mighty city-states of Greece had once again assumed their mantle of the most advanced faction in the world.
With the defence of Syracuse, we spotted that the vile Roman city on Sicily was under-defended. Messina! The cries of your people are like the bitterest tears to us! But your vengeance will soon come to hand! For we are coming to liberate you from the vile rule of these Romans! But first, it would be wise to take measures for the protection of Syracuse. The Carthaginians occupied the western end of Sicily, and were clearing building up their forces for an invasion. But the Romans, idiots that they are, made a mistake when they declared war on Carthage. With a formal alliance between our two peoples, the Romans found themselves facing armies three times as powerful than their ill-kept forces in Sicily. Quickly taking advantage, an army was quickly assembled in Syracuse, and several mercenary Greeks were easily convinced to join our cause. The opportunity must not be missed!
However, while our powerful forces laid siege to Messina, several Roman regiments were returning from some drills. Defensive positions were taken, and our mercenary pelasts were sent to bombard the approaching Roman warriors.
They showed their true valour as Greeks, routing the Romans in a series of daring charges.
But while our forces were crushing these returning soldiers, the Roman general cowering in Messina was emboldened, and led his army out to engage us.
He was quickly killed.
Once again, the Greeks have proved themselves to be mightier than all the peoples of the known world!
With such glorious victories in Sicily, the men in Sparta were pressured to prove their reputation and beat such feats. They assembled the greatest army known in Greece, and attacked Larissa, which was under the sway of the treacherous Macedonians.
No sooner had the trenches been dug around Larissa than the Macedonians foolishly attempted to attack such a powerful army. In the greatest Greek traditions, a line was formed, and our brave warriors waited for the Macedonians to attack.
The first wave of cavalry foolishly impaled themselves upon our spears.
But this was only a precursor of the Macedonian's wrath. They attempted to wheel around, and strike at the sides of our line. The Macedonian's plans were foiled when the Thracians charged in swinging.
They were led by the mighty warrior Sheb, who offered his services when he heard of our cause. Sheb is a number of the noblest barbarians, those who proudly earn the title of Hellenistic. With Sheb's valour holding the left flank of our line, the Macedonians could do little but once more charge full tilt into our phalanxes.
Our proud hoplites confidently stood their ground, and the Macedonians could do little more than flee at such an impregnable line of men.
Such a victory must encase the hearts of every oppressed Greek with flames of happiness and joy. But still, thy cry: "How long till we are free!" But where before tears of sadness dripped down their cheeks, now tears of joy fall, as they know that soon, the phalanxes of Greece come marching to free them!
With the roaming Roman soldiers killed, or running for the hills, our brave soldiers started upon the gates of Messina, to smash down the Roman warriors that are oppressing our fellow peoples.
The cowardly Romans choose to stay in the city square, instead of facing us at the gates. Our pelasts soon convinced them the folly of their ways.
The Romans dashed head-on upon our warriors, but not the bravest of them could move close enough for our hoplites to even spit on them.
Our brave and noble general soon routed such rabble as them.
The people of Messina can now rejoice at being free Greeks once more!
Despite being smashed before the city of Larissa, the Macedon armies once again engaged our besieging army.
But a wise general learns from his mistakes, and the Greek line was curved, so that the enemy cavalry could not hope to encircle us.
But the hoplites under the command of Attis proved the folly of their commander. At his request and during the heat of battle, they showed their incredible discipline by marching backwards while still in a phalanx. Does the vanity of Attis know no bounds? He was stripped of his command while the battle still raged, and his men were sent forward into the line once more.
But the Macedonian commander saw weakness, and urged his men forward while the hoplites were still moving.
The brave Thracians under Sheb once more proved their skill and worthiness, and they poured into the gap, an stemmed the follow of villainous enemies.
But that was not enough for these warrior's blood lust, and they charged upon the side of one of the Macedonian phalanxes.
Lacking the valour of Greeks, they turned and fled, ending the battle.
The city of Larissa was left empty, and to cheering crowds our warriors entered the city.
We were the mightest,
the largest,
and the most advanced!
...
Clearly, our adviser is not being hired for his intelligence, but for his vast knowledge of enemy military forces.
While Messina was liberated by our armies, the Romans landed vast hoard on the western end, taking the Carthaginian holdings.
It is sad to see our Carthage allies ousted from Sicily. But the Romans cannot be allowed a foot-hold in Sicily. Our armies shall march and grind their bones beneath our heels! Our warriors are the strongest, and all the world quakes at our passing! The Romans tremble and the Macedonians flee at the very mention of our name!
Zeus strike me down.