Half a century after plans were agreed, the grand Sassanid strategy for the destruction of Rome finally lands it's first blow.
It has taken the complete dedication of the entire Sassanid nation. Unity and focus on one common cause - the defence of our right to live free, in a world without Roman domination - has enabled a monumental military feat.
Building on our conquest of Byzantine coastal cities, we established a well-supported production base on the Mediterranean, rolling out a deadly fleet of Byzantine Dromons.
Meanwhile, our central empire's well oiled production hubs optimized efficency and exponentially increased production of heavy cavalry, enabling the rapid assembly and deployment of formiddable attack teams.
Our tactical planners co-ordinated deployment sequences perfectly, a major logistical achievement spanning many decades. It ensured a number of battle-ready attack teams converged in unison for a stunning surprise attack.
The Roman sea defences were weaker than expected. A couple of scout galleys were destroyed by greek fire, blinding Rome and allowing our ships to sail through the Mediterranean unhindered - all the way to Sicily. Our Great Lighthouse was a huge comfort to the Dromon captains as they were able to confidently and quickly navigate through the sea.
Our generals had carefully prepared for this moment. Our attack force was under secret instruction to target a particular region in the north of Sicily, referred to by the locals as "la piazza magica". From this region both Antium and Pompeii are within range of our cavalry - doubling the defensive strain on the Romans in Sicily.
Annoyingly, a Roman galley was in our way. It was destroyed by greek fire from three Sassanid Dromons. Their delayed arrival after the battle meant 5 heavy cavalry were not close enough to deploy in the optimal attack zone. They were offloaded on the doorstep of Antium, a vulnerable position, and now wait nervously to feel the Roman fury. Hopefully they'll draw a few defenders out of the city.
However it's not all bad news, not by a long shot. 14 heavy cavalry made it safely to la piazza magica and are now preparing for battle. Soon we will find out how good the Roman defences are! A successful campaign here, just a few hundred miles from Rome, will surely shake the foundations of the decadent and crumbling Roman Empire.
In the combat zone, 3 Roman galleys lurk...I wonder how they will fare against 10 battle-hardened Dromons.
428AD played and sent
although our warriors are disappointed that they had to travel all the way from the Steppes just to look at a pile of rubble. Oh well, we pack up our equipment and go looking for another target.
