Closing the Circle - 850 AD to 875 AD

850 AD: An aerial view of the Roman Empire from Iceland in the NW to Armenia in the SE.

 

There are only three Russian units near Moscow - such a tempting target but the capture of Moscow
and St. Petersburg would put a huge hole in my Happiness Level and cripple the Empire's growth.

Note the mass movement of Arabian forces to the East in support of their war against India. Also a
tempting target but I have an Open Borders agreement with them and I do business with them. They not really an opponent at the moment.

The Persian presence in Egypt has all but disappeared - a very tempting target. Thebes is no
longer a capial city and it isn't a large city so its capture wouldn't cause too much Unhappiness.
There is also the Cotton luxury resource within its territory which will further lower the Unhappiness
hit. So Persia it is!

860 AD: My forces are being brought into position - not only to land on the northern Egyptian
coast but also anticipating a move from the Persian homeland. Persia has made peace with Thailand
but I doubt that it has anything to do with my moves.

865 AD: A little bit of extra cash won't hurt - thanks Askia!



870 AD: The war begins with my Longswordsman assaulting the Persian Pikeman - it is eliminated -
nice one, guys...more forces land on the coast.



My Knight pulverizes the Archer sotuth of Thebes while other forces move adjacent to the city...

 

The Persians decide to evacuate the city and the Catapult is trying to escape - the Thebes Garrison attacks my Knight causing minor damage. Oops, India has lost its Capital - maybe our struggle with Darius can offer some relief...

875 AD: The next round begins with my Ballistas bombarding Thebes....

....followed by assaults from 4 of my units

My Knight delivers the final blow - how's that for Blitzkrieg?

Thebes has been liberated from Persian rule and has been promoted to a Roman province. As I had hoped, the Unhappiness hit isn't too bad and that will soon be solved by the Courthouse being built in Byzantium.

To celebrate a new age for Egypt we have renamed the city Cairo - now where's Cleopatra?

I have what I wanted but Darius is unfortunately not interested in burying the hatchet so the war goes on!