ตอน 11: Rome's Ambitions

In the grand halls of the Roman Empire, Emperor Lucius Julius stood tall, his regal presence commanding the attention of his ministers. Flanked by his trusted advisor, Minister Octavianus, the emperor's gaze pierced through the maps and scrolls spread across the table before him.

"Carthage," Emperor Lucius mused, his voice laden with ambition. "It has long been a thorn in Rome's side, its naval prowess and trade dominance an obstacle to our supremacy. It is time we bring this once-great civilization to its knees and secure our hegemony in the Mediterranean."

Minister Octavianus, his eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and cunning, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Excellency. Carthage's internal divisions and political strife have made it vulnerable. We can exploit this weakness to dismantle their navy and lay siege to their city. Rome's victory will be swift and resounding."

Emperor Lucius leaned forward, his gaze fixated on the naval charts depicting Carthage's fleet. "Their navy is formidable, I will give them that," he remarked, his voice filled with calculated admiration. "But it is not insurmountable. Our intelligence estimates that Carthage currently boasts a fleet of 200 warships."

Minister Octavianus interjected, providing additional details. "Their ships are well-manned and well-armed, a testament to their naval heritage. However, we have assembled a naval force of 250 warships, surpassing their numbers. Our ships are state-of-the-art, equipped with battering rams, catapults, and skilled marines. We are confident in our ability to overpower their navy."

Emperor Lucius nodded, a smug smile playing at the corner of his lips. "We will deploy our fleet strategically. While a significant portion engages Carthage's navy head-on near their shores, we will dispatch a smaller contingent through alternative routes, bypassing their defenses and striking at their vulnerable rear. Our aim is to disrupt their supply lines and isolate their forces."

Minister Octavianus added, "To ensure the success of our naval campaign, we have meticulously planned to drive Carthage's navy from Sicily. By establishing naval blockades, we will restrict their access to vital resources and gradually wear down their strength. Our intelligence suggests that they heavily rely on the Sicilian ports for resupply and repairs. By cutting off this lifeline, we can weaken their naval capabilities and force them to retreat."

Emperor Lucius, keen on staying informed, stressed the importance of intelligence gathering. "We must have a constant stream of information from our spies and scouts. Their reports on Carthage's naval movements, supply routes, and potential allies will be crucial in our campaign. We cannot afford to be blindsided by their tactics."

Minister Octavianus nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Excellency. Our intelligence network is vast and growing. We have agents embedded within Carthage, monitoring their internal affairs and feeding us valuable information. With their help, we can exploit Carthage's political divisions, manipulating their factions and undermining their unity."

Emperor Lucius chuckled darkly, envisioning Carthage's demise. "Once we have weakened them from within, our legions will march upon their city. Rome will conquer Carthage, its naval dominance shattered, its people subjugated. The Mediterranean will be ours to command."

As the emperor and his minister reveled in their wicked machinations, they failed to realize that Carthage's council was not blind to their schemes. Unbeknownst to them, the council members were formulating their own plans to repel Rome's advances, solidify alliances, and emerge victorious against the imminent threat.

The council convened in a dimly lit chamber, where each member expressed their concerns and ideas. A seasoned strategist named Quintus rose to his feet, his voice resonating with authority.

"My fellow council members, we must not underestimate Rome's ambitions. They are a formidable foe, and their plan to weaken us through intelligence and naval superiority cannot be ignored. However, we have our own advantages. Our knowledge of the sea, the fierce loyalty of our soldiers, and our ability to rally neighboring nations to our cause."

The council nodded in agreement, their expressions filled with determination. A senator named Valeria spoke next, her voice firm but tinged with concern.

"We must bolster our naval defenses and seek alliances with nations that share our desire for independence from Roman dominance. We cannot face this threat alone. Our neighbors must understand that Rome's insatiable hunger for power will eventually turn toward them as well. By presenting a united front, we stand a better chance of withstanding Rome's aggression."

The room buzzed with discussion as council members proposed strategies, debated alliances, and assessed the current state of Carthage's military might. They analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of their navy, assessed available resources, and strategized how to counter Rome's advances.

As the council meeting progressed, a plan began to take shape—one that involved guerrilla tactics, hit-and-run maneuvers, and carefully timed strikes to disrupt Rome's naval blockade and regain control over Sicilian waters.

The council members knew that the road ahead would be arduous, but their determination burned bright. Carthage's survival depended on their collective wisdom, their unity, and their ability to outwit the mighty Roman Empire.