The many good things today seem to indicate a good year to come.
This update was everything we could have hoped for. You have touched I believe on every PoV.
The War Between the Caliphate and the Empire has begun with an Iperial Victory in the Straits of Hercules. I call it a victory as it sounds like the Imperials took far fewer losses in the battle and storm.
The War in the Far West seems to favor the Empire at the moment:
1. Roman-Roderic alliance has halted the advance of Julian-Moorish Alliance and raised morale among Roderics men. While the Rebels and invaders are far from beaten with Julian gathering allies and Muslim reinforcements landing, the Caliphate Fleet lost nearly half the troops before landing. News of this storm and these losses could be used by Roderic and the Romans as Divine Providence, also Tariq has fewer men to work with and reinforcements beyond this fllet will be a long time arriving.
2. The Romans have landed the bulk of their forces in Africa. Septum may yet rise in revolt and faces a siege after the regio has been used to marshal an army that is now in Spain. If Septum falls to the Romans, along wih the maitenance of the their fleet there it will greatly hinder Tariqs ability to recieve aid from the Caliphate.
Elsewhere the war is less certain. The Enmpire has been reinvigorated by the Justinian's reign and a series of successsful campaigns. They are also in a position to make very effective use of their naval power against the Caliphates land power.
However the Caliph is no fool and while not of as martial bent as Justinian II he is making smart mives. The Caliphates disadvantage is its size and that they are currently fihghting watrs in the East. It seems they may underestimate the Romans and be prepared to fight the last war. For instance the Iberian campaign is in trouble when they expected a relartively easy cictory, and Justinian is going on the offensive further complicating the situation.
Both nations are great and at this point I think outside Iberia it is anyones game with leadership and field decisions being the deciding factor.
Thankee most kindly for your detailed response there Herr Frage old chap. Very much appreciated.
Things are certainly heating up in Spain, but things are not over there yet. You are right that Musa's losses will have an effect on morale, but sometimes desperation can be dangerous. It'll take time for reinforcements, if any to arrive, and Musa knows this, despite wanting to send his fleet back to gather more. Even if the fleet arrives back safely, there are not many troops to collect. At least not yet. And even if there are, they may perhaps be needed elsewhere.
The Romans haven't actually
landed their forces in Africa yet, but your postulation is indeed sound. As long as nothing goes wrong that is.
The Roman Empire is indeed in a good position to use their navy and army against the Caliphate, but don't forget the Caliph's extensive and historically effective reforms of his own army and navy. However the Romans appear to have a strategic advantage at the moment.
The size of the Caliphate is a problem in terms of transference of forces it is true. However, at least the Caliph (and the Romans) are well served with fairly rapid relay networks of communications for their time. Speed and accuracy of those communications are critical as well as the movement of forces.
But as you say, it is anyone's game, and down to the men and commanders on the field when the battles come. As well as the fickleness of fate and mother nature.
Sargon
