Chapter 9: Consolidation of Power Begins
The colonization of Astures is only the beginning of the Gallaeci's Republican ambitions. The work of building and construction began almost immediately in Astures to bring the new territory into the arms of civilization. This is an exciting time for a Gallaecian: what's next? Excited eyes turned toward the east. They have long enjoyed peace with the Cantabri, who are now viewed as savages despite their similar beginnings. A certain republican superiority complex kicked in. Wouldn't it be nice to bring the Cantabri into the arms of a united Celt-Iberian Republic? A united front to ward off these foreign intruder of the Iberian heart line?
Thus, it can hardly be a surprise that when the senate elected a military faction-aligned archon in the next election, people were eagerly anticipating the beating of drums of war. But to many's surprise, the historical tie is too strong and the senate resolutely blocked any actions against the historical ally. There is simply not enough military faction in the senate and the merchants are too much in their role of opposition. Gallaeci must bide its time, for the time being, and focus on raising an army that can protect its borders. Laws are promptly passed to deal with corruptions in the republic.
News came that the barbarians of Astures have laid waste to Lusitani and continued their rampage through Carthaginian lands. Caraunios Leukid, the newly elected archon, set about to consolidate Astures' position and to further the economy of the republic. One of the foremost concern was to secure enough food and grains for the colonists and iron to provide defence. Treaties with the Roman Republic and available tribes were promptly established and hopes were high that this may begin a spark of Roman alliance.
Works were done to ensure that the new republic is a stable one and frequent sacrifices and feast were made to calm the public. Civic laws were passed to protect people from cruel merchants as the trade thrived. The presence of an inspiring high priest also helps with the matter and his presence has given great council to the senate and inspired the populace.
The navy was enlarged during this time to better protect the enlarged coast. The new beginning of this new republic is marked by a period of peace and prosperity as the government focused on strengthening the defences and welfare of people. Within a few short years, Astures have also became a centre of trading activity and bringing in considerable wealth for the Gallaeci. So much was the success that the barbarians residing in the area abandoned their ways and became part of the Gallaeci culture in June of 558 AUC, on the five year anniversary of the founding of republic. People rejoiced at the integration of the new territory.
The following year the senate elected a civic faction aligned archon. The Punic War is in full swing and the Romans and the Carthaginians fought bitterly. Though still seemingly a stalemate, Carthage is slowly losing grounds as they are wrecked with instability and with rebel forces popping up everywhere within their territory. One, two then three nations claimed their independence and the untimely incursion of two separate barbarians forces burnt down their colonies and forced them to fight a war on multiple fronts.
As the Carthaginians face the formidable foe of Roman Republic and facing five different war of independence at the same time. The Gallaeci Republic is bidding its time and slowly building its technology and forces. Frustrated by years of being blocked on the military front and somewhat emboldened by the weakened Carthage, the Gallaeci senate came to a solution for the impasse: to establish their second colony. Bracara is the target and buoyed by the immense success of the last colonial venture, it is felt in the senate that perhaps it would be safer now to make contact with Carthage, who is facing a huge amount of internal strife and scarcely has the time to look at this tiny republic to the north.
An expedition force is sent out, like last time. Similar to the last result, the barbarians forces were baited out and after smashing the expedition force, marched south to add more to the misery of Carthaginians. The plan worked perfectly: the region of Bracara is now ripe for the taking while simultaneously sending a large marauding force to further destabilize Carthage.
The colonizing party was sent and within four months, a small settlement is established in Bracara. The immediate concern of securing food and grain supply to Bracara is solved by trading with the Romans. The civic faction is greatly lauded by the people as money poured in from this new colony.
The senate, happy with their new expansion, set about the goal of building up a large manpower reserve from their territory with the aim of raising a large army to contend with their powerful neighbours. The hope of invading Cantabri is temporarily put on hold...but there may still be chance to rid the peninsula of the Carthaginian oppressors of Celt-Iberian people.
The colonization of Astures is only the beginning of the Gallaeci's Republican ambitions. The work of building and construction began almost immediately in Astures to bring the new territory into the arms of civilization. This is an exciting time for a Gallaecian: what's next? Excited eyes turned toward the east. They have long enjoyed peace with the Cantabri, who are now viewed as savages despite their similar beginnings. A certain republican superiority complex kicked in. Wouldn't it be nice to bring the Cantabri into the arms of a united Celt-Iberian Republic? A united front to ward off these foreign intruder of the Iberian heart line?
Thus, it can hardly be a surprise that when the senate elected a military faction-aligned archon in the next election, people were eagerly anticipating the beating of drums of war. But to many's surprise, the historical tie is too strong and the senate resolutely blocked any actions against the historical ally. There is simply not enough military faction in the senate and the merchants are too much in their role of opposition. Gallaeci must bide its time, for the time being, and focus on raising an army that can protect its borders. Laws are promptly passed to deal with corruptions in the republic.
News came that the barbarians of Astures have laid waste to Lusitani and continued their rampage through Carthaginian lands. Caraunios Leukid, the newly elected archon, set about to consolidate Astures' position and to further the economy of the republic. One of the foremost concern was to secure enough food and grains for the colonists and iron to provide defence. Treaties with the Roman Republic and available tribes were promptly established and hopes were high that this may begin a spark of Roman alliance.
Works were done to ensure that the new republic is a stable one and frequent sacrifices and feast were made to calm the public. Civic laws were passed to protect people from cruel merchants as the trade thrived. The presence of an inspiring high priest also helps with the matter and his presence has given great council to the senate and inspired the populace.
The navy was enlarged during this time to better protect the enlarged coast. The new beginning of this new republic is marked by a period of peace and prosperity as the government focused on strengthening the defences and welfare of people. Within a few short years, Astures have also became a centre of trading activity and bringing in considerable wealth for the Gallaeci. So much was the success that the barbarians residing in the area abandoned their ways and became part of the Gallaeci culture in June of 558 AUC, on the five year anniversary of the founding of republic. People rejoiced at the integration of the new territory.
The following year the senate elected a civic faction aligned archon. The Punic War is in full swing and the Romans and the Carthaginians fought bitterly. Though still seemingly a stalemate, Carthage is slowly losing grounds as they are wrecked with instability and with rebel forces popping up everywhere within their territory. One, two then three nations claimed their independence and the untimely incursion of two separate barbarians forces burnt down their colonies and forced them to fight a war on multiple fronts.
As the Carthaginians face the formidable foe of Roman Republic and facing five different war of independence at the same time. The Gallaeci Republic is bidding its time and slowly building its technology and forces. Frustrated by years of being blocked on the military front and somewhat emboldened by the weakened Carthage, the Gallaeci senate came to a solution for the impasse: to establish their second colony. Bracara is the target and buoyed by the immense success of the last colonial venture, it is felt in the senate that perhaps it would be safer now to make contact with Carthage, who is facing a huge amount of internal strife and scarcely has the time to look at this tiny republic to the north.
An expedition force is sent out, like last time. Similar to the last result, the barbarians forces were baited out and after smashing the expedition force, marched south to add more to the misery of Carthaginians. The plan worked perfectly: the region of Bracara is now ripe for the taking while simultaneously sending a large marauding force to further destabilize Carthage.
The colonizing party was sent and within four months, a small settlement is established in Bracara. The immediate concern of securing food and grain supply to Bracara is solved by trading with the Romans. The civic faction is greatly lauded by the people as money poured in from this new colony.
The senate, happy with their new expansion, set about the goal of building up a large manpower reserve from their territory with the aim of raising a large army to contend with their powerful neighbours. The hope of invading Cantabri is temporarily put on hold...but there may still be chance to rid the peninsula of the Carthaginian oppressors of Celt-Iberian people.