The incident that occurred in Satavahana was nothing more than a minor disturbance from their perspective.
It was not a big deal to confiscate the ships and goods of a few rchants who had caused trouble in the absolute state ruled by the emperor.
They did not act without any justification, but rather followed so semblance of procedure.
They thought there was no problem, as they had prepared asures to take in case of any diplomatic friction.
But that was only the view of the Satavahana ruling class, who had handled the matter.
The reality was far from that.
As soon as Tadiuss report ca in, Marcus summoned the power holders of the Eastern Province and convened an ergency eting.
The reason why the eting could be held so quickly was simple.
They had already adjusted the schedule for the events related to the military academy, so a considerable number of influential people were staying in Ctesiphon.
Marcuss confidants already knew roughly what was going on, but there were also so people who did not fully understand the situation.
They looked at each other with blank faces, wondering what was going on.
Such small murmurs disappeared as if they had been washed away when Marcus entered the hall.
As Marcus slowly walked in, everyone inside knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.
Everyone is here. Thank you for coming despite the unfortunate schedule.
Not at all.
We have to rush over no matter what if Shahanshah calls us.
Just by glancing around, the faces of the people gathered in the room were very splendid.
Marcuss close friends, Surenas and Spartacus.
And the high officials of the Judicial Committee, who had obtained the right to be permanent magistrates and were newly organized.
The local nobles who were being used in the Eastern Province and the heads of the practical staff who had recently taken charge of important positions.
Even those who were busy with heavy duties were all summoned, which ant that sothing important had happened.
When Marcus sat down on the only chair in the hall, Surenas opened his mouth in front of him, kneeling on one knee.
Marcus, everyone has gathered here in response to your summons.
Good. Everyone, raise your heads.
Yes!
With a voice full of absolute loyalty and respect, everyones eyes focused on Marcus.
The reason I asked you all to co here is because a serious provocation against Ro has been committed. Surenas, explain.
Yes. So of you may have already heard, but I will tell you again. The Roman rchants who were active in Satavahana were robbed of their goods and insulted. By the way, they were all Roman citizens.
Huh Did they et so thieves? Who is behind this?
The prince and nobles of Satavahana.
Those who heard about this for the first ti from the Advisory Committee of the Senate frowned as if they did not understand.
Of course, the local nobles also showed a similar reaction of disbelief.
The prince of Satavahana persecuted Roman rchants? What is the reason If they are rchants who went to India this ti, they are not those who went there with official permission? In other words, does that an that Satavahana provoked Ro?
For Satavahana to pick a fight with Ro was tantamount to suicide.
It was hard to believe that they did it with their right mind.
Fabius, a mber of the War Council, shook his head cautiously.
He was a dignified Patrician who had served as a magistrate four years ago, but he was more inclined to the Senate side and did not know the whole story of this matter.
Is there any plot behind this? Maybe there is a force that wants to stir up trouble between Satavahana and Ro.
That doesnt seem to be the case. The prince Swati who led this incident is considered to be the next king. Moreover, he confiscated all the goods of the rchants and claid them as his own property.
No, what on earth did he think
Fabius opened his mouth wide and looked at Marcuss complexion.
He wanted to gauge how angry Marcus was.
This incident is so outrageous that even I feel more than angry. It is absurd. The nations we have faced so far have never dared to treat the citizens of Ro unfairly, unless they directly confronted Ro.
Satavahana is a monarchy and they have had so trade with Ro, but only in a limited way. Maybe they are ignorant of our laws?
That is possible. They might have thought that its not a big deal and acted recklessly. But, since the citizens of Ro have suffered direct damage, we cannot just let it go. It is a serious problem.
That is a fair point.
The committee mbers nodded in agreent, and Surenas quickly distributed the newspapers that he had prepared in advance.
This is the newspaper that will be distributed in Ctesiphon tomorrow. Similar articles will also be published in Antioch, Damascus, Alexandria, and the Greek poleis. The details of this incident are exactly as written here.
The committee and the local nobles opened the newspapers and saw the headline that was printed in large letters.
The article described in detail how the prince and soldiers of India treated the Roman rchants.
Of course, there was so exaggeration added as a spice, but to those who read the article, it seed like the truth.
They were enraged by the words that said they insulted, kicked, and spat on the Roman citizens.
So of the rchants who participated in this expedition were natives who had earned their citizenship by rit. But once they beca citizens of Ro, such distinctions are aningless. I will not take this insult lightly.
We are grateful for your generous words.
The local nobles bowed their heads even deeper.
Marcuss words ant that he would guarantee the rights of those who beca citizens as Romans.
The committee mbers did not raise any objections either.
This was a good opportunity to strengthen the loyalty of the locals.
If Ro showed anger for the humiliation that the natives who beca citizens suffered in a foreign country, how would they react?
They would naturally praise Marcuss decision and desire to obtain citizenship more.
Marcus, how do you plan to deal with this matter? Would it be enough to send an official delegation to demand the punishnt of the responsible parties and receive proper compensation?
There is a way to handle it moderately as Fabius suggested. But this matter was committed by their high-ranking rulers. Even if we demand it, will they punish them properly? They will just make a scapegoat and cover up the incident. Thats what they will do.
Thats a valid point. Now that I think about it, thats likely to happen. We cant expect them to punish the person who will be their next king.
This matter is hard to compromise on. They are unlikely to listen to our diplomatic protests. They will think that we are bothering them over nothing and curse us. But if we let it go lightly, it will tarnish Ros reputation.
Surenas nodded and looked around at the people gathered in the room.
As Marcus said, a half-hearted response will not yield any substantial benefits. We might get so compensation money, but thats not why we are discussing this issue.
This is a matter of grave dignity. They have humiliated the citizens of Ro who crossed over with Marcuss permission. In other words, this is equivalent to trampling on Marcuss and Ros honor.
We need to punish them severely.
Then we need to prepare to raise our army right now!
We need to calculate how to gather our soldiers and secure our supply lines.
As soon as the words poured out from all sides, Marcus raised his hand slowly.
There is no need for that. The preparations are already done.
What? You an you have already prepared for war?
Yes. I told Surenas long ago to be ready for any situation. How about it, Surenas? Are you ready?
Yes. If you give the order, I will imdiately raise our army and deliver a stern punishnt to Satavahana.
I have also sent an envoy with a declaration of war across the sea. He will arrive just in ti when our army invades their territory. I have also sent a letter to Ro with my intentions, so there is no need to worry about that side either.
There was nothing more to say when everything was already prepared.
The local nobles and the committee mbers all agreed on the necessity of this war.
Surenas was appointed as the commander who would lead this war, as expected.
He knelt on one knee in front of the throne and declared his determination once again.
This war is a declaration against the far eastern nations who do not understand Ro. All the nations who hear this news will learn how to treat the citizens of Ro.
Yes. This was inevitable sooner or later. They are ignorant of Ro.
Marcus rose from his throne and announced solemnly.
Summon all the Aqualanians to the square. I will start a speech to inform the citizens of the war.
In fact, Marcus had started preparing for the attack on Satavahana even before Tadius boarded the ship to India.
Thanks to that, the Roman legions boarded the ships heading to Satavahana only a few days after Marcuss order.
And to deceive them, they also pretended to march their armies by land from the easternmost kingdoms of Karen and Suren.
But before their suspicious movents, the declaration of war sent from Ro arrived at the capital of Satavahana first.
The palace of Satavahana was plunged into chaos.
They summoned the nobles from all over and held an ergency eting, but they only heard angry voices that could not understand.
What? Ro is not even adjacent to us, how can they declare war over such a trivial matter?
They are not even nobles, just so common rchants that we kicked around. War? This is just an excuse for Ro to fight with us.
Maybe they are coming for that worthless rock that they were digging up.
Thats ridiculous. How can they start a war over sothing like that?
King Migaspati sighed tiredly as he listened to the nobles clamor.
The envoy who brought the declaration said this. All the citizens of Ro are Ros. So the Shahanshah of Ro will not tolerate the act of spitting on their face.
Without reading the whole declaration, they could easily tell how strong Ros will was.
To be honest, he could not understand why they were so sensitive about this, but he also thought that maybe his prince had made a terrible mistake.
Anyway, they had to prepare a counterasure regardless of the opponents purpose or strategy.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Roman army would invade, so they had to gather their soldiers and devise a defense plan.
But soon, Satavahana realized that they did not have much ti left.
Not long after the declaration arrived, an urgent report ca that the Roman army was approaching by land and sea.
Much faster and more urgent than expected.
The flas of war engulfed Satavahana.
The End
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