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Seven Sisters

Two Brothers

Crastus had succeeded; he had captured the fabled Seven Sisters complex and finally brought an end to the civil wars that had plagued the Empire for years. Only to have peace seemingly snatched from his grasp by the assassination of the Emperor. With the succession not clear cut with two twin brothers claiming the throne there seemed to be no possibility for peace. The power of the legions has held the ambitions of the two brothers in check for nearly two years, but it could not last forever. One brother has fled the other will declare Crastus outlaw and the Fifth Legion will not stand idly by. Now he must fight for the Seven Sisters once more, but this time on the defensive.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 1: Explorer

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 2: Homecoming

Hanno has made friends with the local tribe even married the chief’s daughter but can he get home? He needs to repair his ships but his tools don’t work so well on the local oak. Can he turn this to his advantage? Meanwhile what of the trader; can he be trusted? Could he be dealt with without offending his father-in-law? Should he do so anyway? What is this mysterious fortress Mai Dan? Could these be allies?

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 3: Shipwrights

Carthage has a trick nobody else has realized. Their ships are mass produced. English oak is stronger than any timber available in the Mediterranean. Could this be turned to Carthage’s advantage? Would an oak fleet rule the True Sea? Can Carthaginian engineering help his allies to achieve peace with the neighboring tribes? Will the Mai Dan cow their rivalry? Can he convince them that trade with Carthage is better than war with Carthage and her allies? Its 460BC. England is changing. Carthage is changing. Is Hanno right?

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Carthaginian Empire - Episode 4: Anaxagoras

One sorry for himself Athenian philosopher and mathematician. Exiled from Athens on pain of death. Banned from teaching. But for Carthage he holds a key. His theories could lead to a navigation system that will enable them to extend their supremacy. Anaxagoras has a choice. Help the natural enemies of Athens or fade into obscurity? Hanno wants his man; and the secrets to accurate navigation his brain may hold. But does he owe loyalty to the city that has discarded him? Its 450BC and Hanno now knows he needs just one piece to complete the picture; to take Cartage on to its manifest destiny.

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Carthaginian Empire - Episode 5: Syracuse

Hanno’s grandson has a problem. Carthage wants control of Sicily. So does Athens. Only the port of Syracuse holds out against Carthage’s ambitions. But it has held out for four long years. Carthage is sick of war. Carthage wants its sons home. Can his final desperate plan succeed in breaking Athens final holding in the Western Mediterranean? Its 409BC Can Handro meet and make his destiny?

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 6: Handro's Fleet

Sparta and Athens are fighting again. But which one does Carthage want to win? Sparta’s fleet is small and presents no real threat at sea. Her army is large and superb. Athens’ fleets control the eastern Med. How long can Carthage allow this state of affairs to continue? Is it time for Handro to involve Carthage in the internal affairs of the Greek city states? If so on which side? Handro will play his own game at this table. Its 405BC and Greece is the melting pot.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 7: Handro And Athens

Athens has been humbled on the battle field. Her army broken, her fleets destroyed. But Athens herself is untouched. Handro takes his chance. His orders are to humiliate but not sack the city the inhabitants think of as the cultural capital of the world. It’s a formidable city to attack even with its reduced garrison. Can he carry out his orders? Can he walk the fine line that divides destroying Athens morale from uniting the Greek city states? He has his doubts but he has his orders. The first thing is to get in. The last thing will be to get out. But by capturing and parading the Vestal Virgins will he go too far? It’s just turned 404BC.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 8: Nemea And Coronea

After ten years of bitter war, finally the combined armies of Sparta and Carthage under their charismatic leaders Lysander and Handro have the chance to put an end to the struggles between the Greek city states. To do so they must face and eliminate the armies of their four largest opponents. Sparta are the masters of hoplite phalanx warfare. Carthage with their sea power are masters of flexibility. Can these two unlikely allies actually work together and win?

This is 394BC. Greece is in the melting pot. Can Carthage control the heat?

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 9: Return To Athens

Handro and the forces of Carthage have won the battles but the other cities of Greece have closed their gates to him and his Spartan allies. The Spartans have stormed Corinth and reduced it to rubble. Handro does not want this fate to befall Thebes and Athens. Can he prevent it? Does the legendary Carthaginian general and diplomat have the necessary skill set. Can he destroy the power of the city states without destroying the cities themselves?

It is 394BC and Handro must act swiftly to prevent barbarism sweeping Greece.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 10: Assassin

Handro is taking a well earned sabbatical, a chance to rest in Athens, now captured. One night a slight sound disturbs him. The spreading wetness by his side tells him his sleeping companion has been murdered. Is the assassin still in the room? Who is he? Why does he want Handro dead? All is not as it seems as even his allies are turning against him. Has the whole of Greece gone mad?

It is 393BC and Handro is fighting for his own life in his own bed while the world waits breathlessly on the victor.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 11: Revenge

After the failed assassination it is now time for Handro to act. But has Lysander truly decided to change sides? Why send a Theban? If Sparta has changed sides what to do with the Spartan garrison troops in Athens. Why are there plumes of thick smoke rising from Thebes a city that surrendered to him?

If  Lysander is dead and the Spartans have gone mad with blood lust is it time to remove this cancer from Greece? If so can he do so without shedding so much blood the Eurotas will run red?

It is 392BC and finally Handro can complete the unification of Greece under Carthaginian rule – or will they die trying?

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 12: Macedonian Rebellion

Phillip would be king of Macedonia if the Carthaginians hadn’t arrived. Now he must lead a last desperate rebellion against the overlords from across the sea. Is it still his destiny to rule or has Carthage the wit and might to destroy the dynasty before Alexander is even born. It is 359BC and the nexus of history is upon them.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 13: Desert Rats

Unsettled by the Persian advances into Africa from Egypt and feeling threatened by the increased Persian military presence along the East Coast of the Mediterranean from the Dardanelles all the way to the borders of Egypt; Carthage must act. The Persians are expecting a naval attack from a naval power so when the Carthaginians strike from the desert surprise is paramount.

It is 339BC and Carthage faces its greatest enemy yet.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 14: Tyre

Having conquered Egypt it is time for the hard bitten and experienced army of Carthage to move north up the coast. First the city of Tyre stands in their way and if they can subdue the fabled island citadel then Darius is massing the largest army ever seen to face them on the banks of the gentle river Issus. A river that will run with blood before the year is out. It is 333BC and Carthage must fight on land and sea.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 15: Empires

When two mighty empires meet history dictates that only one will stand. Persia covers more land area than all of Carthage’s territory. Carthage controls the Mediterranean and its wealth from shore to distant shore. As the two empires confront each other in a hundred little skirmishes one will survive and one will fall. It is 330BC and if Persia falls only one small emerging state will stand in the way of Carthaginian suzerainty. Rome looms on the horizon for Carthage.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 16: Stalemate

Over several years the armies of Carthage and Rome have fought each other to bloody stalemate. Neither can gain a decisive advantage. On the sea Carthage’s fleet reigns supreme and the tiny Roman navy is no match for the bigger, faster, more numerous and better trained Carthaginians. It is 264BC and the First Punic War is going nowhere fast.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 17: The Galley

There is an important secret to the way the Carthaginians build their galleys. Each is identical to all of the others. They are built to a standard design and each piece is marked. You can take one apart and use it as a set of templates to build more. One unlucky Carthaginian captain is forced aground by the Romans and he and his crew and his galley are captured. Rome uses his galley to build a fleet of 225 identical ships in less than 45 days and use this to challenge Carthaginian naval supremacy. But will Roman skill and ingenuity be enough against the experienced crews of the oaken galleys they face. Its 217BC and Rome takes what it believes is its chance.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 18: Bay Of Naples

With the Roman fleet at the bottom of the Mediterranean and Hannibal’s mercenary army marauding down the east coast of Italy Rome are up against it. When the entire Roman army is butchered at the battle of Cannae and Hannibal’s brother lands an another army in the Bay of Naples Rome is given a choice. Surrender or be sacked.

It is 216BC and the last challenger against Carthage’s reign is on her knees.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 19: Crucify Them!

Seventy years ago the might of Carthage was brought to bear on the city of Rome. Now as Carthage focuses on troubles further abroad Rome sees the chance to rebel, the final chance to win back their freedom and their own destiny. The savagery of the response of the Carthaginian army knows no bounds. Crucifixion for one in two men is just the start. For the rest slavery in the mines and fields of Spain and Britain awaits them. It is 146BC and now Carthage truly rules the Mediterranean.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 20: Caesar Free

The tribes of Gaul have been a thorn in the side of Carthage for far too long. Penned in by Carthaginian occupied Spain to the West, Britain to the North, Italy to the East and the even wilder tribes in across the Rhine the Gauls must finally fight or die. During one battle a slave of Roman descent saves a Carthaginian force from certain defeat and annihilation. Given his freedom he elects to join the meritocratic officer corps of the army of his erstwhile masters. It is 56BC and his name was Julius. We would have known him as Caesar.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 21: Caesar Victorious

At the hilltop fortress of Alesia Vercingetorix leads a desperate force of Gaulish warriors in a last stand against a Carthaginian army led by the Roman Julius Caesar. With other tribes surrounding him Caesar elects to fight an innovative campaign. As the besiegers in turn become the besieged history is reaching a climatic point.

It is 53BC and Caesar must win his finest battle but for his masters not just for himself.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 22: European Union

All of Europe west of the river Rhine lies under the hand of Carthage. Ruled jointly from the south, Carthage itself, and north, Mai Dan in Britain, the empire appears to be at peace. There are three firebrands within the empire two of whom are looking for further conquests to cement their place and perhaps their children’s future within the society that has assimilated them. It is 48BC can Hanno, descendant of his legendary namesake keep a leash on the ambitions of a certain Julius Caesar and his adversary Vercingetorix.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 23: Expedition

Fed up with the constant raids across the frontier, the river Rhine, into his otherwise peaceful province of Gaul, Hansro, its governor finally convinces the regional government in Mai Dan to take action. So begins an epic journey that starts with the crossing of the Rhine and sweeps through the forests of modern day Germany. Their tribal enemies will not stand and fight, yet if they do not Hansro’s forces will destroy their homes. As inconclusive engagement follows inconclusive engagement will the Goths and the Vandals finally be brought to account? It is now 2AD and Carthage is again expanding its influence.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 24: Hamilcar

Nine years ago Hansro led his punitive expeditions against the tribes west of the Rhine. Now the Emperor is on the scene and his huge army is intent on crushing the Goths once and for all. As the campaign starts, Hamilcar III is surprised and ambushed in the Tutenberg forest. Instead of plunging his forces into despair as the Goths had wanted his death finally galvanizes the Carthaginian armies into brutal action. For many generations that followed, their treatment of the Goths, cowed whole regions into submission. It is 11AD and Pax Carthaga means peace but oh, what a bloody birth for peace.

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 25: Pax Catharga

Now, one hundred and thirty years after the bloody massacres that heralded the birth of Pax Carthaga there are mutterings of discontent within the vast empire. One man rules form Carthage, his deputy from Mai Dan. Naked ambition roams the streets of all the cities of the empire as finally the hostility between two men becomes outright war. It is 145AD and will the great empire be torn asunder?

Carthaginian Empire - Episode 26: The Parthians

With the installation of a new dynasty and the end of the civil war, Carthage hopes to rebuild the peace it had prospered in for so long. Sensing weakness, others have different ideas. Suddenly the brave yeomen with their longbows that had stood their ground and won the civil war must fight a different enemy. Out of the east, across the Danube comes a new enemy. The Parthians are the undisputed masters of horse archery. Finally the northern longbow and the Parthian short composite bow will face each other. Which will prevail? It is 147AD and Carthage must fight for its life one more time.