PBEM: A Soaring Spirit

Wine watered down to a 1:3 ratio, often with the adition of honey, spices, pine resin or absinth. Drinking undiluted wine was considered barbaric, unless used as medicine or a tonic.
 
@Tanelorn
I remember reading that the Hellenes considered the Thracian's as barbarians for, amongst other things, their love of undiluted wine. I wonder if this would have been like modern wine or a more potent and crude ancient version, more like a fortified wine? I can't picture a group of Thracian head hunters sitting around the camp fire sipping a crisp Pinot Noir :lol:
 
Well, Homer's refference to thick wine comes to mind. We didn't have barrels until later (a Gallic invention) so we added the afformentioned spices or reduced wine to keep it in ceramic amphorae. We did use double sided amporae filled with cold water or snow to chill the wine, however. Samian wine, Santorini wine and Cypriot commandaria are probably surviving examples, all are very sweet. Roman pasum was made from raisins, akin to modern mavrodafni. I wouldn't suggest to drink either of those without water by the side.
 
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The gerousia has decided, after much contemplation, that the Ionians and Corinthians cannot be allowed to continue to grow their strength. Too many have they bowed to their feet.

Tenos has been taken from the Ionians.

One Ionnian transport sunk near Naxos. (285,111)
One Ionnian transport carrying one unit sunk near Cytherea. (244,132)

...

No Phoenician news.
 

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The Etruscans hear the news of war in the East, and that one of the belligerents is the Corinthians. The Corinthians, who have come to Italy and Sicily not as new neighbours, but as Conquerors. The Corinthians, whose ill mannered traders have blocked a vital path west from Clusium without asking permission.

The Etruscans DECLARE WAR on the CORINTHIANS, including a trade embargo.

The Etruscans are not declaring war on the Ionians at this time, but recommend that Ionian traders deal only with cities reachable from the coast, in the event that diplomatic positions change. [The Etruscan Ambassador notes that the Ionians are allied with the Corinthians and that they have declared war. The Etruscans await official word from the Ionians on this matter.]

COMBAT:

Two Corinthian traders destroyed at (67,5).

No World Events.

The Athenians, fearing the combined might of the Corinthians and Ionians once they have consolidated their many conquests, have decided to join the Spartans in their war against these empires.

the Athenians DECLARE WAR on the CORINTHIANS and the IONIANS, including a full trade embargo.

COMBAT:

Ionian Pentreconter killed at (259, 93) by Athenian Pentreconter.

Corinthian Transport Ship sunk at (248,102) (3 units destroyed) by Athenian Pentreconter.

Athenian Strategos conducts amphibious assault at Megara and kills two hoplites.

Athenians CAPTURE Megara.

Corinthian Thracian Warrior killed at (246,98) by Athenian Archaic Hoplite.

Corinthian Slave killed at (244, 100) by Athenian Thessalian Cavalry.

Ionian Transport ship sunk at (120,126) (beside Syracusae) (3 units destroyed) by Pentreconter.

Corinthian Transport Ship sunk at (119,121) (near Syracusae) by Pentreconter.

Corinthian Thessalian Cavalry defends (184, 48) colony site from attack by Athenian Thessalian cavalry.
 

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CORINTHIANS

To the King of the Etruscans:

Corinth humbly apologizes to the King of the Etruscans for the offense our traders caused by traveling through Etruscan territory without permission. We fully understand why Lars Porsena felt the need to punish these truculent dogs. We offer the olive branch of peace to the Etruscans. Italy is a far off colony and we wish only to trade with the Etruscans. To continue fighting would damage both our trade networks for little gain. Will you accept my sincere apologies?

To Elders of Carthage:
Corinth is glad that Carthage had not deemed it necessary to become involved in this pointless war. We wish to maintain our cordial relations and are willing to listen to any concerns mighty Carthage may have with Corinthian colonization in Sicily.

To Sparta:
Could you not have come to us with your concerns? Corinthian colonists are a voracious lot, but they are also sensible enough to realize that colonists from other Hellenic states wish to build their own colonies. We are willing to talk to find a way to end this bloodshed.

To Athens:
Your vile act treachery will live long in the hearts of the Corinthian people. Perhaps we will grant you peace if you immediately return the city of Megara and pay compensation for the losses we have incurred. Failure to do so and you will feel the full might of the Corinthian war machine!

Gomphi captured (had already been under siege before the war began)

IONIANS

The Ionians echo their Corinthian allies words above and seek a swift return to peaceful relations. However, the Athenian aggression could not go unanswered. A naval battle takes place southeast of Eretria. One Ionian Pentreconter is lost and its Athenian opposite number is badly damaged (at 259,93).
 

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Spartan news:

Corinth attacked. The walls are broken (fortress destroyed) and one Hoplite broken.

A Spartan Hoplite off in the hills of Lydia makes an attempt at a stack of Ionian units. The Hoplite was routed. None of them shall be welcomed to Sparta gain. (I was devastated that a veteran hoplite (attack: 8) had lost to another Hoplite on open ground. Then I remembered all terrain is stackable! Killing units out in the open isn't a given.)

...

The elders of Carthage are curious about the state of affairs in the eastern mediterranean. They see no reason to intervene, and in any case their Spartan friends are probably too proud to ask for help.

Any attacks upon undefended traders, from whatever nation they hail that takes place in Phoenician waters will be treated as act of barbarism, and the responsible party be banned from the markets of Carthage.
 

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Etruscans:

The many cities in Italy and Sicily currently bowing to Corinth show that distance from Corinth is no safeguard against invasion and subjugation. The Etruscans will maintain their state of war with Corinth. Since the Ionians have not explicitly stated that they are not at war with the Etruscans, the ETRUSCANS consider themselves at WAR with the IONIANS.


No World Events.

Athenians:

The Athenians proclaim Athena the new TYRANT of ATHENS.

The Athenians would rather be remembered as treacherous instead of foolish. The Corinthians would come to strike down the walls of Athens eventually, as they have already done with so many other cities. We invite the Corinthians to seek their compensation for our "treachery" in the great city of Athens itself.

The Athenians are eager to respect Phoenecian neutrality and ask them to clarify where they consider trading ships to be under their protection.

Due to a mis-communication, the Athenians march to Corinth without adequately prepared siege equipment to take the city before their allies can be counterattacked.

Athenian Hoplite attacks Corinth and defeats the defending Hoplite (yellow health remaining). A second attack by another hoplite results in a successful defence by the Corinthians. A third attack by a hoplite also results in defeat for the Athenians. A fourth attack results in defeat. A fifth attack by a force marched battering ram is also unsuccessful. Thessalian cavalry kills Corinthian hoplite. Defender kills another Athenian hoplite. Thessalian cavalry defeats last defender of Corinth.

Battle of Corinth Summary: 3 Corinthian hoplites killed. 4 Athenian hoplites, 1 battering ram lost. Athenian Strategos arrives late and steals glory by entering the city first. Athenians capture Corinth and plunder all of 1 Drachmae!

Thessalian Cavalry kills Thracian warrior that fled Corinth (no damage to cavalry).
 

Attachments

CORINTHIANS

One Athenian Penteconter sunk at 229,93 and another at 239,99

One Spartan Transport Ship with one Trader and one other unit sunk at 126,108

grreek-bireme.jpg


IONIANS

Two Athenian Penteconters sunk at 259,93. Presumably one of these was the one badly damaged last year.

The Ionian Greeks of Sicily begin the siege of the Athenian colony of Zancle.

9e5b6ffa46e41c660d0f3012dc0e405e.jpg
 

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No news from Sparta.

The elders of Carthage declare any ships having sailed past the port of Acragas are under their protection.

Still, they are unhappy Spartan merchants heading their way were attacked. They wonder if passivity is prudent indeed.
 

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The Elders understand. It would have been prudent of Carthage to ask the ship be left alone, if they'd wanted it to reach port safely.
 
No Etruscan News.

No World Events.

Athenians:

Athenians March into unoccupied Orchomenus, plunder 2 Drachamae. Ionian Pentraconters killed at (259,95) and (259,93) by an Athenian Pentreconter (has red health now). A Second Athenian Pentreconter kills almost dead Ionian Pentreconter at (258,92).

Athenian Strategos conducts amphibious assault on Eretria. 2 Hoplites killed. Third hoplite defeates the still green health strategos!!?!! It also kills 3 more hoplites, despite only a sliver of red health remaining. Obviously, the Athenians don't know when to quit.
 

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Not Aspasia? Aristophanes is shocked.
The Etruscans are feeding him too much of their barbaric, undiluted, unspiced, unsweetened wine. :P
 
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