The Khart-Haddagian Wars
Until this time, Augusta had enjoyed an alliance with the maritime Empire of Khart-Haddag. But with its conquest of the towns on the east coast of the Tyrrian Sea, the west coast of the Sea of Illyria, and the southern ports on the Gulf of Tarentis and the Midgardian Sea, conflict between the two powers became inevitable. The two powers first clashed over control of the island of Sikelia, which had been ruled by the semi-independent Argosian city-states. The war resulted in Augusta's victory, further consolidated by the inability of the rulers of Khart-Haddag to pay the mercenaries it had hired both in Sikelia and the Tyrrian islands.
Following their humiliating defeats on Sikelia and the Tyrrian isles, the people of Khart Haddag attempted to rebuild by expanding into the rich farmlands, silver mines, and shipyards of the Iberian peninsula. By treaty, the Khart-Haddagians were to remain south of the Ibro River but when in BCY 219 the ambitious general Hannu-Ba'al, the viceroy of expanding Iberian kingdom, laid siege to the coastal city of Zakyntha, which lay south of Ibro but under the protection of Augusta, war was again declared. The war raged for nearly 20 years, at a terrible cost to both sides. But in the end, Augustan victories in Iberia and the inability of the Khart-Haddagians to reinforce their armies on Augustan soil led once more to Augustan victory. The treaty terms imposed on Khart-Haddag were harsh, the Augustans stripping them of many of their colonies and requiring them to disarm.
Augustan forces had finally put Khart-Haddag on the defensive by making common cause with their Numidian rivals. Over most of the next 50 years following the treaty, the Numidian King, secure in his alliance with Augusta and the knowledge of Khart-Haddag's inability to retaliate, repeatedly raided Khart-Haddagian territory and seized its outlying holdings. When Augusta ignored the calls by the Khart-Haddagians for redress of these grievances, they raised an army in defiance of the treaty and attacked the Numidians. The Khart-Haddagian army surrendered after being defeated in the field. But even though they posed no threat to Augusta, voices in the Senate, many having nursed resentment for their humiliations more than half a century ago, called out for vengeance. The army of Augusta, after defeating another field army, blockaded and laid siege to Khart-Haddag. Inevitably, the legions closed in on the city, first securing the harbor, then the city square and the great temple of Ba'al, and finally the residential quarters, where they slew everyone they could find, burning buildings as they progressed. In the end, the last survivors took refuge in the temple of Eshmoun, a benevolent healing god. The Khart-Haddagians are said to have burnt the temple down around themselves when hope was lost. The city was razed, and the remaining Khart-Haddagians were sold into slavery.
Thus the curse of the Nine Gods was fulfilled.
Following their humiliating defeats on Sikelia and the Tyrrian isles, the people of Khart Haddag attempted to rebuild by expanding into the rich farmlands, silver mines, and shipyards of the Iberian peninsula. By treaty, the Khart-Haddagians were to remain south of the Ibro River but when in BCY 219 the ambitious general Hannu-Ba'al, the viceroy of expanding Iberian kingdom, laid siege to the coastal city of Zakyntha, which lay south of Ibro but under the protection of Augusta, war was again declared. The war raged for nearly 20 years, at a terrible cost to both sides. But in the end, Augustan victories in Iberia and the inability of the Khart-Haddagians to reinforce their armies on Augustan soil led once more to Augustan victory. The treaty terms imposed on Khart-Haddag were harsh, the Augustans stripping them of many of their colonies and requiring them to disarm.
Augustan forces had finally put Khart-Haddag on the defensive by making common cause with their Numidian rivals. Over most of the next 50 years following the treaty, the Numidian King, secure in his alliance with Augusta and the knowledge of Khart-Haddag's inability to retaliate, repeatedly raided Khart-Haddagian territory and seized its outlying holdings. When Augusta ignored the calls by the Khart-Haddagians for redress of these grievances, they raised an army in defiance of the treaty and attacked the Numidians. The Khart-Haddagian army surrendered after being defeated in the field. But even though they posed no threat to Augusta, voices in the Senate, many having nursed resentment for their humiliations more than half a century ago, called out for vengeance. The army of Augusta, after defeating another field army, blockaded and laid siege to Khart-Haddag. Inevitably, the legions closed in on the city, first securing the harbor, then the city square and the great temple of Ba'al, and finally the residential quarters, where they slew everyone they could find, burning buildings as they progressed. In the end, the last survivors took refuge in the temple of Eshmoun, a benevolent healing god. The Khart-Haddagians are said to have burnt the temple down around themselves when hope was lost. The city was razed, and the remaining Khart-Haddagians were sold into slavery.
Thus the curse of the Nine Gods was fulfilled.
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