Second entry
114 AOC/436 B.C.E
Achilles leisurely strolled through his courtyard, wondering about the empire that he, a young Hellene from Thrace, had been able to inherit. Achilles pondered over his most recent changes and of philosophers like Socrates. He wondered how loyal the satraps were to him, the new Hellenic king-basically summing up who both Darius and Xerxes thought of as their enemies. He decided that the satraps would have to switch seats of power, and that he would have to make as many bids to the populace that he was for them and them alone as possible. He realizes the his banning of religions other than Hellenism had caused massive uproars and protests, while the Jewish population in Palestine had wanted to break away this made no sense He had decided to legalize only Zoroastrianism, because people thought Zoroastrians were getting a better treatment, as the vast majority of the population had not abided to his law outlawing all religions other than Hellenism. He also realized that Hellenism had begun its spread in the wrong place- the elite. The top 15 percent worshiped the Greek gods while the bottom 80% were Zoroastrian, while 3% were Jewish and 2 percent worshipped various other gods. However, Hellenic gods had spread quickly within the military, and order was kept. When he legalized Zoroastrianism and added a massive tax on it, the population could not complain and converted to escape the taxes. Those who didn't convert had barely enough money to get food. He created the first slaughter in history, genociding the Jews after their revolt and wiping Judaism off the map. He realized that Persia was becoming extremely Greek, and that was the opposite of what Achilles wanted. He wanted mixing, and that wasn’t getting done. He decided to try another invasion of Greece, but this time, he was going to get the city-states to attack one another, rather than destroy them. He also decided that all Persian culture must be kept mainstream. Another thing that he figured out was that because Zoroastrians were willing to accept Hellenic Gods into their worship, he could have them worship both, then slowly discredit Ahura Mazda until only the true gods were worshiped.
The Next Day
“Artabanus II”
“Yes lord Achilles.
“You know of Carthage, yes?”
“I do, my lord”
“They have been a pain in our side for a long time, however with our recent takeover of Greece and the Indus, and the empire or alliance of kingdoms massing in Hindustan, we are not able to directly take them over, so what do you suggest we do?”
“We will aid Magna Graecia indirectly and have them fight Carthage and if they lose we loot them so Carthage gets nothing.”
“Brilliant, that is what we will do.”
Asia
India
“Mahendra, sir, we heard that a group of Parsi soldiers just attacked and took over a kingdom on the other side of the Indus. The Indus are no longer with us Hindus, but with the Parsis.”
“You are right as always, Andhaka. We have to resist the Parsis before they take over all of Hindustan. I shall form an alliance of kingdoms to actively resist the Parsis and stop them from interfering any more in Hindu affairs.”
“Also, my lord, we have seen lots of fighting in the Tibetan area. Some tribes have embraced some sort of godless heterodoxy of Shaivism. This has caused them to fight to spread this heterodoxy.”
“We shall deal with the heterodoxy later- first I must set up a meeting with the leaders of the Northern Hindu kingdoms so that we may unite to face this Parsi threat.”
In the council of Hindu kingdoms
“Mahendra, why have you summoned us here asking us to forgo our wars and join you in some unruly alliance that would require us to give up kingship?”
“Agastya, that is because the Parsis are nearly upon us. They have penetrated the Indus Valley and are sending their armies to take over the northern kingdoms. While we are divided, we stand no chance against the Parsis, but together we will crush them and make sure that they never return!”
“Fine, I accept.”
“Like Agastya, do the rest of you accept this new empire?”
“I accept.”
“I accept.”
“I accept.”
“I accept.”
“I accept.”
“I accept.”
“I accept.”
“I accept.”
Carthaginian Empire
“King Hannibal, I have just gotten word that the Magna Graecia has taken over Syracuse and is attacking our colony in Sicily.”
“Then Hanno, mobilize our fleet tomorrow, we sail to war!”
The Next Day
“Hanno, I don't understand. Why would Magna Graecia attack us? We are the most powerful empire on the west side of the Mediterranean and they are a tiny city-state. The only empire I could see defeating us by itself is the Achaemenids.”
“My King, this is because Magna Graecia has the support of the Achaemenids. We have been an enemy of theirs for a long time.”
“So, why haven't they invaded us?”
“Two reasons. First, they cannot, as they have just taken over Greece, and have a large empire at their Indus border, and second, if Magna Graecia takes over Carthage we would be discredited as weak and the Carthaginians that are part of our empire will assimilate fast.”
“So how do we beat them.”
“We need a larger army made up of the populace and not mercenaries.”
“How do we do that?”
“Make it required to serve in the army and while the army is not fighting they can work.”
The Carthaginian War
“We must attack the Italian peninsula through our colonies in Sardinia. Also, there is a small republic named Rome on the northwest of the island. Should we make allies with them, my king.”
“Yes, Hanno offer them Corsica in exchange for attacking Magna Graecia.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Roman Republic
“ Aelianus sir after your rise to power the Carthaginian empire has congratulated you and given you an offer.”
“ Why would Carthage give us an offer, and what is it?”
They have asked for you to help them take over Magna Graecia in exchange for a permanent alliance and the island of Corsica.”
“Then tell them that we accept and tomorrow Rome rides to war!”
121A.O.C/439 B.C.E
Rome expands further down up to the borders of Magna Graecia while Magna Graecia sets up an outpost close to the Carthaginian Capital. The holding of this outpost depends solely on Magna Graecia holding the island of Malta. Meanwhile, Persia aids help Magna Graecia by raiding Carthaginian cities but while indirectly aiding Magna Graecia establishes an alliance with Rome to dominate the others. This results in Rome playing Carthage against Magna Graecia and attacking both Magna Graecia and Carthage blaming it on Rome.
122 A.O.C/438 B.C.E
In order to cover war costs Carthage expands into Iberia for gold and silver, however, ends up devaluing the currency to a point where prices rise so much that by the end of the war Carthage will become a Roman vassal state. Carthage takes all but the heel of Italy with the Magna Graecia retreating there. With all the wealth coming from the war rome becomes a superpower. Persia grows stronger and fortifies around the black sea.
123 A.O.C/437 B.C.E
Magna Graecia falls to Carthage however the war has completely exhausted their resources.
Persia gobbles up the Balkans and expands around the Caucasus area. In the Persian capital, the heliograph and the glider are created.