1080 A.D.
A state of war has existed between Sumeria and Rome since 703 A.D., with no ground gained for either side. For a great deal of that time an alliance has tied Sumeria and the Carthaginians together against the Romans. Hannibal's armies have kept the numerous Roman forces at bay and they have taken quite a beating for it. King Gudea has chosen not to continue the alliance and to leave Carthage to fend for itself.
Foreign Advisor- Your Excellency, now that our alliance has ended with Carthage, would you like me to contact Caesar?
King Gudea- Yes, I'm sure he will be willing to talk, seeing how his piles of legionaries are almost gone.
1130 A.D.
King Gudea- Maybe they would have lasted longer if I had let them wear their armor, instead of wearing barbarian furs.
Military Advisor- One good thing is you won't have to pay them the other half of the gold payment.
King Gudea- A lot of gold was save with their demise. Any other mercenaries will probably not be willing to work for us, knowing the situation we put these particular ones in.
Science Advisor- Sir, we are quickly losing ground in the knowledge arena. Arabia has had many scientific breakthroughs in recent years and is very advanced when compared to us. But, they do not yet have working knowledge of gunpowder, though they have recently been looking into it. Abu Bakr's scientists have taken the knowledge of Astronomy, applied it to sailing and have learned to navigate the wide ocean. Also, the whole Arabian empire is generating a lot of gold with their study into economics.
King Gudea- I had heard from the foreign advisor that Arabia, Egypt and Rome have been trading several technologies back and forth. Just didn't know any details on what was being traded. If you and your buddies can manage a breakthru on gunpowder, then maybe we can trade it for some of this other knowledge.
Science Advisor- We have a few more kinks to work out, on a device we have been working on. Once it is working properly, we should have an excellent defensive weapon.
King Gudea- I was hoping for an offensive weapon, but defending the Sumerian populace is always a good thing.
1150 to 1250 A.D.
Domestic Advisor- Sir, an Egyptian scientist has introduced the theory that the sun is the center of the solar system and our world revolves around it. Also, an Arabic expedition claims to have circumnavigated the entire world and proven conclusively that it is round.
1260 A.D.
The science advisor took King Gudea to a balcony, located off of the throne room. On the field outside the palace were several men, each holding what the science advisor had called a musket. The military advisor gave the men some instructions, then quickly joined those gathered on the balcony. The men on the field loaded their muskets and took aim at a scarecrow, that had been staged a short distance away. King Gudea flinched, as each musket went off with a bang and a large puff of smoke. Part of the arm and the head had been blown off the scarecrow. A large smile appeared on King Gudea's face.
King Gudea- Very impressive! But, is it only effective at short range?
Military Advisor- Once we become familiar with using it, the musket should be effective at longer ranges. There is much future potential in this device.
King Gudea- We should be able to get much in trade for this.
Military Advisor- What? We are going to give others access to this weapon?
King Gudea- Yes we are. For one, there are several discoveries out there we can trade for. Two, other nations will eventually gain this knowledge on their own. Three, we will feel a much greater sense of accomplishment by conquering an enemy with similar weapons to ours, than to slap down a weaker enemy with our superior weapons.
Military Advisor- I do not like it, but I see your point.
King Gudea- I want you to contact Arabia, Egypt and Rome to trade for any knowledge they have.
Foreign Advisor- It will be done, my King.
Later,
Foreign Advisor- Arabia was unwilling to trade anything for our musket. The Arabic scientists are apparently very close to perfecting their own version. We did gain quite a bit from Egypt and Rome.
Science Advisor- Sir, the success that we have had with gunpowder is leading to interest in other compounds. My colleagues and I would like to explore chemistry thoroughly.
King Gudea- Your funding will be raised back to normal levels. You have definately earned it!
Science Advisor- Thank you, Great One!
1270 A.D.
Domestic Advisor- Supreme One, the Black Death has returned! It appeared in the city of Kabir Forest and has quickly spread to other cities.
King Gudea- With the empire being so large and all the trade between cities, there is probably no way to stop the spread. We can at least slow it down. Send out messengers to inform every city of the plague's return. For the time being, have them close their city gates to everything but shipments of food.
1275 A.D.
Military Advisor- Master, Arabia has captured over half of the Greek empire. Alexander had to retreat from Athens and moved his capital to Sparta.
Military Advisor- I also learned from the foreign advisor that Arabic scientists have developed their own workable musket. Abu Bakr is quickly garnering much land, technology and power.
King Gudea- Alexander may not be up to stopping the enevitable. That's too bad!
1280 to 1300 A.D.
Over the next few years science advancement began to move more rapidly. The increased funding from King Gudea helped the Sumerian scientists move past their unsuccessful attempts at turning base metals into gold. They quickly accumulated an effective knowledge of chemistry and developed many chemical processes.
After that, they began to study the properties of metals in an effort to design harder and more durable metals. These new alloys helped to make more effective weapons that were stronger, lighter and cheaper.
1305 A.D.
Domestic Advisor- Sir, the Black Death has managed to spread, despite our efforts at trying to stop it. There are eighteen different cities affected by it and thousands have died, including one of our military units.
King Gudea- I'm at a loss as to what to do. All these millions of people are looking to me for help and I can't stop it. More people are being lost to this virulent plague, than to all the wars we have been involved in.
Domestic Advisor- There have been reports of this deadly disease from around the world. Almost every nation has been affected by it.