Tweet
Memphis: The Old Merchant's Tale
Hi Steve, glad you made it back and that all is well! In case you were wondering what went on in Greece during your absence........
Long after the Egyptian villagers had shuffled off to bed, a grizzled old merchant poked at the fire and smiled softly. Seeing this, and with a tongue now thoroughly loosened, the Babylonian couldn't help himself, "Out with it old man! If that's a joke you're thinking of, we want to hear it!" Several other merchants slapped the sands to signify agreement, and after a pause the smiling man responded. "I may have a few years on you, bearded one, but my hand is quick and this staff can instill respect quicker than you think!" Noting the light tone, the Babylonian bowed his head in mock submission and returned a grin of his own. "I believe you old father, so spare me the lesson and share your tale with us!"
"Well, it's not a humorous story, but one of war, much like yours. I simply smiled at the poor innocence of our good Memphians - alas the world has many nasty surprises in store for them, I fear! So....you know of the seafarers? Those who serve Minos?" The big Mesopotamian nodded affirmatively, and raised a jar of beer in salute. "Yes, by the gods - and their wine even more!" Nodding, the old man toasted back. "I spoke with one in Canaan a few seasons ago, and he had a tale from the distant north. It seems that two towns shared power on a great peninsula, and the two kings bore a deep mutual enmity. The greater of the two, Agamemnon, sent a pair of armies to assault his enemy. One was the usual group of citizen skirmishers, fleet of foot but poorly armed. The other - and this I've never seen and can scarcely credit - was composed entirely of mounted horsemen! This new innovation was unknown to his enemy, and thus the Achaean King was confident of victory. His plan called for the skirmishers to attack one part of the town, drawing the full attention of the enemy, at which time the mounted army would sweep in from the rear and complete the conquest. But it was not to be! The horsemen were led by the king's drunken nephew Athos, and the fool and his men became lost in the hill country. Thus when the poor foot troops launched their attack, they did so alone and outnumbered. At first the battle went ill for them, but when all appeared lost, the king's brother Menelaus came to the fore. He spied the enemy king, engaged him in single combat, and at the last, slew him with a great thrust of his spear. At this the enemy lost heart and surrendered themselves as slaves! They say that scarcely a tenth of the Achaeans were still standing, so it was truly a great and awesome victory!"
The old merchant finished with a flourish, and the listening merchants - ever appreciative of a fine tale well told - hooted their approval. Inspired, the Babylonian leaned forward and launched into a totally improbable tale involving Assyrians and onager-drawn contraptions called "chariots" (the old merchant rolled his eyes at the very thought of so unlikely a device) while the fires flickered and more beer was poured, and the night flowed on as smoothly as the Nile.
Hi Steve, glad you made it back and that all is well! In case you were wondering what went on in Greece during your absence........
Long after the Egyptian villagers had shuffled off to bed, a grizzled old merchant poked at the fire and smiled softly. Seeing this, and with a tongue now thoroughly loosened, the Babylonian couldn't help himself, "Out with it old man! If that's a joke you're thinking of, we want to hear it!" Several other merchants slapped the sands to signify agreement, and after a pause the smiling man responded. "I may have a few years on you, bearded one, but my hand is quick and this staff can instill respect quicker than you think!" Noting the light tone, the Babylonian bowed his head in mock submission and returned a grin of his own. "I believe you old father, so spare me the lesson and share your tale with us!"
"Well, it's not a humorous story, but one of war, much like yours. I simply smiled at the poor innocence of our good Memphians - alas the world has many nasty surprises in store for them, I fear! So....you know of the seafarers? Those who serve Minos?" The big Mesopotamian nodded affirmatively, and raised a jar of beer in salute. "Yes, by the gods - and their wine even more!" Nodding, the old man toasted back. "I spoke with one in Canaan a few seasons ago, and he had a tale from the distant north. It seems that two towns shared power on a great peninsula, and the two kings bore a deep mutual enmity. The greater of the two, Agamemnon, sent a pair of armies to assault his enemy. One was the usual group of citizen skirmishers, fleet of foot but poorly armed. The other - and this I've never seen and can scarcely credit - was composed entirely of mounted horsemen! This new innovation was unknown to his enemy, and thus the Achaean King was confident of victory. His plan called for the skirmishers to attack one part of the town, drawing the full attention of the enemy, at which time the mounted army would sweep in from the rear and complete the conquest. But it was not to be! The horsemen were led by the king's drunken nephew Athos, and the fool and his men became lost in the hill country. Thus when the poor foot troops launched their attack, they did so alone and outnumbered. At first the battle went ill for them, but when all appeared lost, the king's brother Menelaus came to the fore. He spied the enemy king, engaged him in single combat, and at the last, slew him with a great thrust of his spear. At this the enemy lost heart and surrendered themselves as slaves! They say that scarcely a tenth of the Achaeans were still standing, so it was truly a great and awesome victory!"
The old merchant finished with a flourish, and the listening merchants - ever appreciative of a fine tale well told - hooted their approval. Inspired, the Babylonian leaned forward and launched into a totally improbable tale involving Assyrians and onager-drawn contraptions called "chariots" (the old merchant rolled his eyes at the very thought of so unlikely a device) while the fires flickered and more beer was poured, and the night flowed on as smoothly as the Nile.
So CivFan, if that civ is locked by a password, please pass it along to Chris (Edit: Duh! Civfan was smart & courteous enough to unlock them earlier, so it's not an issue. Thanks, pal!) 
)
Comment