Lucius had supporters in Egypt and Greece, but his base was Sicily. Crassus had clients in Neapolis, Greece, Asia and Egypt. Brutus could count on his allies in Neapolis, Greece, Galatia and Egypt. Titus had never wandered far from Rome, and his clients where in Narbonensis, Neapolis, Sicilia and Numidia. Tamaris was strong in Narbonensis, and had allies in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Finally, Claudius was alone in Hispania, was strong in Mesopotamia (on his mother's side) and had some leverage in Sicily.
The first year of conflict was perhaps the bloodiest. Everywhere, small skirmishes escalated in full scale wars, as each contendent tried to evict the others from what they claimed their territory. In Asia and Galatia, Crassus's legions persecuted their master's ennemies, and wiped them out. While Tamaris was busy quelling a rebellion in Armenia, Claudius Antonius converted her allies to his cause without a single drop of blood. In Egypt, nobody could gain the upper hand, Tamaris and Lucius starting a confrontation that would last four years. In Hispania, Claudius Antonius started the construction of Valentia Nova, and with economic support from Lucius, also founded a colony in Sicily. It was agreed that later on Lucius would take the control of this city. This was done, after a token resistance by Claudius legions, that managed however to drag in the conflict some of the men of Titus. In exchange, Claudius accepted to remain out of Italy for one year. In Greece, Crassus and Brutus waged war for the control of Athens, and Crassus had the upper had, for now. But the most critical movement was made by Titus. Learning before anybody of the demise of the Emperor, he move switly, and sent his legions to Rome, seizing the control of the Senate, building the harbour of Ostia and gaining control over the lucrative military contracts. With this, he had the strongest claim to the throne. Brutus also moved in, challenging him, but the control of the Senate remained in the hands of Titus. Meanwhile, Tamaris had secured her control over Narbonenis.
The second year started with furious bidding to know who would play first. Titus and Claudius escalated, and in the end, Titus bribed the priests of Jupiter the fabulous amount of 25 talents to ensure he would be first.
Lucius contemplates the high cost of the Jupiter's priests...
Rome and the much coveted allies of the old emperor (in pale yellow).
He moved swiftly again, eager to secure his hand around the throat of the senate. He sucked dry the merchants of Rome with new taxes, and bought for 40 Talents all the allies that the old emperor had left in Rome. With this, his claim on the immortal city was supreme. His control of the port of Ostia and the merchants of Rome made him so powerfull that the other, and specifically Crassus, Claudius and Brutus, agreed to join forces to bring him down.
Crassus instigated a slave revolt, but the walls of Ostia and the steel of the red legions defeated this threat easily. Brutus moved then, passing an alliance with the legions of the Senate and assaulting Titus's legions before he could call in reinforcements. The battle was bloody and no quarter was given. When the dust settled, the blue standard was raised on the walls of Ostia and Titus had to flee to neighbouring Narbonenis.
Brutus started then converting Titus's former allies to his cause, but he lacked the financial ressources to break the faboulous sway his opponent had gained over the city and the control of the Senate remained in Titus hand. Titus called a senate vote to recover his power base, but all the tribunes allied and Brutus was given the right to muster 6 more legions.
Crassus and Brutus strike a deal: Athens and its wineyards for Crassus, Rome and its senators for Brutus.
The balance of power had totally changed in a momentuous battle, and the true nature of Brutus was finally revealed. He engaged in a blood bath, killing the follower of Titus, ambushing the small contingent protecting his ennemy as they where making their way back to the capital. This series of military drawback were turning the plebeians against Titus. Rome does not have love for the looser. Sensing the danger, the other tribunes started distancing themselves from Brutus, and his troops were chased from elsewhere in the provinces.
The true nature of Brutus is revealed.
In Egypt, Lucius had managed to overpower Tamaris, through ruse and guile rather than force. With that, the construction of a colony on the slopes of the Vesuvio directed by the tribun in persone, and the control of the city in Sicily, he had established a solid economic basis to carry on the war. Likewise, Claudius, bound by his word to remain out of Rome, secured his positions in Hispania, Mesopotamia and Numidia, while Tamaris started challenging Crassus in Asia and Galatia, slowly but surely eroding his control over Asia Minor.
Claudius Antonius ponders his next move
Claudius then seized an opportunity and sent an ambush party to kill Lucius's general in Egypt, a man that had insulted one of his family members at a party in Alexandria. This unexpected blow caught Lucius unawares and switched his momentum to Neapolis and Sicily, where the tribune alone could now muster new troops. This was the begining of a long term strategy to seize control over Egypt, as the unfolding events would show.
Lucius learns of the untimely death of his trusted general.
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