~ The Might of Carthago ~
Melek Hamilcar Barca of Carthago proceeded to the Numidian city from his fleet of glorious quinqueremes. He was going to personally greet the Numidian ruler and hopefully, increase Punic-Numidian relations. The Numidian port city was large, but no where near as splendid as Carthage. Its buildings were made of fine mud brick, compared to the splendid marble courts of Carthago. Its port was a small one, and just barely fit the quinqueremes. Sounds of awe came from the commoners along the docks, never before had they seen such large and powerful ships. The sailors hoisted their sails and prepared to dock. The dock was a scramble of activity as the Numidians hastily prepared for the Carthaginian arrival. Hamilcar proceeded off his ship, flanked on both sides by his elite Phoeni Guards.
Him and his delegates proceeded to walk down the Numidian city, until finally reaching the palace of the King. A slight man with large, curious eyes, greeted them and told them that he was the King of Numidia and welcomed the 'mighty peoples of Carthage' to his humble city. Hamilcar and the Numidian king discussed a trade deal, Hamilcar would protect numidian shores with his navy, and give them Carthaginian jewels and dyes, if in return, the Numidians allowed the Carthaginians some of their fine bred cavalry, the Numidian Light Horse (Regular light cavalry). This Deal, if followed through, would bring the two empires closer together than ever before, and would basically afford the Numidians protectorate status, if they allowed the Carthaginians to some of their superb cavalry.
(Norse, can you accept that deal or decline it as the Numidians in the next update?)
Orders:
- Send an expedition fleet of 10 Quinqueremes and 20 Triremes to investigate these new 'Tartessians' along the pillars of hercules, these men control a strategic point near carthaginian territory, report on their navy and armies....
- Send a delegation to Sicily, begin trade talks, offer them our luxuries in exchange for their large grain supplies.
- Send a colonial expedition to the Balearic Islands and Italy, along with 50 spearmen each, (colonize me in Rome)
- Build a road from Carthage to the Numidian capitol, Increase trade (Economy gets a boost)