Chapter 162: Towards Arabia

Chapter 162: Towards Arabia

< 162. Towards Arabia >

The Nabatean kingdom was a traditional state founded by nomads from the Arabian Peninsula, centered around their capital, Nabatu.

Their history was surprisingly long, dating back to the 6th century BC.

They fought against Alexander the Great’s expeditionary force and expanded their power rapidly after the death of the great emperor.

They unified the Nabateans and established a unified dynasty under Harithat III, who came to share a border with Rome.

Unlike their nomadic origins, they were skilled in commerce and smelled a huge amount of money from the Roman Empire.

The Nabateans transformed into a merchant group that influenced the Mediterranean coast to the northern part of the Red Sea.

At that time, the most profitable goods in the Middle East were spices and frankincense.

Rome and Egypt used frankincense for religious ceremonies and making spices, but they had no choice but to go through Nabatea to get this product.

Spices could now be imported through Parthian territory, but good quality frankincense was produced in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, so there was nothing they could do.

The Nabateans bought frankincense at a low price locally and sold it at a higher price than jewels of the same weight.

With this enormous wealth accumulated, Nabatea began to build many buildings in their capital, known today as Petra.

Architects from Egypt and Rome flocked to Petra with a lot of money.

Magnificent buildings with the latest technology and artworks collected from the east and west filled the city.

Petra in the 1st century BC was undoubtedly one of the richest cities in the east.

As their wealth grew, so did the ambition of Nabatea’s king, Malichu I.

The Sabaean kingdom, which ruled the south of the Arabian Peninsula, was now in decline.

The situation was that new powers such as Himyar, Qataban, and Hadhramaut were fighting fiercely.

All four countries, including Saba, were weaker than Nabatea in terms of national power.

If Nabatea could subjugate them, they could secure a stake in the trade route of the Red Sea.

However, this grand ambition hit a snag before it even started.

It was because of a letter that came from Rome.

The letter sent by Marcus’s envoy was polite, but ultimately what he wanted to say was simple.

In summary, it was ‘recognize Rome’s hegemony and come crawling on your own while we are being nice’.

The name of the Roman Empire had a tremendous impact.

A single letter turned the whole Nabatean kingdom upside down.

Malichu summoned his ministers and held a strategy meeting for days.

He also ordered his spies in Antioch to report on the movements of the Roman army at once.

“If we reject Rome’s proposal, they will surely come down with their army. If we fight them, how likely are we to stop them?”

As soon as Malichu I’s words fell, various opinions arose among his ministers.

“Rome is powerful. I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t think we have more than 10% chance of stopping them.”

“What are you talking about! Our army is strong. And if necessary, we can hire various tribes from the central and southern deserts as mercenaries. What’s the difference between giving up our country without fighting and discussing surrender!”

“Come on! You have to face reality. Have you ever seen a country that fought Rome and came out well?”

“If not, we can be the first case!”

The opinions in the palace were divided into pro-war and pro-peace factions.

The pro-war faction consisted mostly of those who belonged to the military, while the pro-peace faction consisted mostly of those who were proficient in international affairs.

Malichu I decided to listen to both sides separately as he thought there would be no conclusion at this rate.

Ararat, a representative figure of the pro-war faction and the head of the military department, pleaded with the king in a resolute tone.

“Your Majesty, whether we want it or not, war is inevitable. The letter from Rome is just a trick to justify their cause.”

As soon as Ararat spoke, some people from the pro-peace faction tried to open their mouths reflexively, but Malichu I raised his hand to stop them.

“I understand your opinion well. But what matters is not whether we can fight or not, but whether we can win or not. If we have a chance to win, we should fight. But if we fight a hopeless battle, it will only result in meaningless bloodshed.”

“We can win, Your Majesty. Our goal is to repel the Roman army, not to conquer Rome.

First of all, we should mobilize all our troops and hire the desert tribes from the central and southern regions as mercenaries with our money. Then we can have a numerical advantage over them. And if we stick to a defensive strategy, we can negotiate with Rome on more favorable terms.”

Ararat continued to make various arguments, but the point was that they had no choice but to fight anyway.

Malichu I then asked Shakilavil, the leader of the pro-peace faction.

“Why do you think we shouldn’t fight Rome?”Alll latest novels on novelbin/(.)com

“First of all, I will tell you about the absolute difference in power between the two armies. It is very embarrassing to say this, but fighting with Rome with our strength is like throwing straw into the fire.

Some people say that we can hire mercenaries, but mercenaries are people who move with money. They can run away at any time if they think the situation is unfavorable. And even if we pay them a lot of money, do you think the desert tribes will cooperate if we ask them to fight Rome?”

Shakilavil’s words made the people of the pro-peace faction nod in unison.

“Rome is different from any enemy we have faced so far. According to the reports from our spies in Antioch, at least eight legions will be mobilized for this war.

Eight Roman legions means more than 50,000 soldiers. Considering the average quality of the Roman army, we have no chance of winning in a head-on confrontation, no matter how many troops we match.

And the one who leads the Roman army is Marcus Mesopotamius, the absolute ruler of the East. I presume your majesty knows well about this person.”

“Marcus Mesopotamius... I’ve heard that name so often that it’s stuck in my ears.”

Malik I’s face turned gloomy.

The first time he heard about Marcus in Nabataea was when he became the governor.

At that time, Malik didn’t pay much attention to the young governor.

He had heard that he was a successful politician who was gaining influence in Rome, but he didn’t feel the need to care more.

He hurried back to his country and told Malik I exactly what Marcus had said.

Malik I faced another dilemma.

Should he also lead as many troops as possible to meet him?

Or should he only summon a minimum of troops and show his obedience to Rome?

Normally, the former option would be natural, but it could be seen as a sign of willingness to fight if things went wrong.

On the other hand, the latter option had the advantage of clearly showing that he had no intention of resisting Rome, but it also had the possibility of being underestimated before the negotiation.

In the end, Malik I decided to go to the meeting with only a few guards and attendants.

He thought that Marcus might be trying to provoke him on purpose.

Since he had already decided to put aside his pride for a while, what did it matter if he looked a little pathetic?

Considering the difference in national power between them, it was much better to be looked down on than to be marked as a threat.

He had no reason to delay since he decided not to mobilize his troops.

He left Petra and reached the northern border, where he saw the magnificent camp of the Roman army.

It looked bigger than an average town, as it was made by eight legions.

This basic camp-building skill showed the basic competence of the army naturally.

Malik I entered the camp following the guidance of the Roman soldiers who came to greet him.

He passed by the barracks lined up with soldiers, and then he saw a temporary hospital and a forge.

He was amazed that they put so much effort into a temporary camp.

When Malik I reached the altar in the center of the camp, the soldiers who were walking ahead stopped.

“You have to get off your horse from here.”

Malik I obediently got off his horse and walked forward.

There was a crimson carpet on the way to the altar, and soldiers in shining steel armor stood on both sides.

Malik I had never seen such strange-looking armor before.

He had heard that Parthia’s heavy cavalry wore steel armor, but it looked different from that too.

He felt his guards trembling behind him.

Malik I didn’t want to scold them for that.

It was natural for people to feel confused and afraid when they faced something unknown.

It was a proof that they were good at controlling their minds that they only ended up with a slight agitation.

Malik I composed himself and moved his eyes beyond the carpet.

There was a majestic chair on top of the altar, which could only be called a throne.

And next to it stood a warrior who looked solid as steel, with an indifferent but somehow sharp gaze piercing Malik I.

The man sitting on the chair was too young to be called the peak of Roman power.

He was not wearing armor, but a toga, which made him stand out more.

‘That must be Marcus Mesopotamius...’

He had been curious about what kind of person he was, who had pacified Mesopotamia in just one year, and he felt that he was indeed extraordinary at first sight.

He didn’t get up from his chair even when he greeted the king of a country.

He just looked down at him with his eyes.

“Hoo.”

He had expected it, but he had a feeling that it would not be an easy negotiation.

It was not possible for someone who had reached the top of Rome at such a young age to be a mediocre person.

But he had to keep the Nabataean kingdom alive somehow.

He steeled himself and reached the stairs leading to the altar.

“Imperator, King Malik of Nabataea has arrived.”

At Antonius’s voice, who was guarding the front of the stairs, Marcus opened his mouth.

“Welcome. King of Nabataea. I am Marcus Licinius Crassus, the governor of Rome’s eastern provinces.”

He was being respectful, but he was still sitting on his throne and looking down at him.

Malik I nodded his head without showing any expression on his face.

“Thank you for your grand welcome. The fame of the great Mesopotamius is well known in our kingdom. I can see that it is not an exaggeration to meet you in person.”

“You flatter me. I also heard rumors that your majesty is a wise ruler, and I realized that it was not false. I appreciate your decision to make a difficult choice first.”

Marcus nodded slightly, lowering his head.

“I did what I thought was best for my kingdom. Rome and Nabataea have never been enemies, have they? I hope we can remain in a constructive relationship that benefits both sides.”

“That would be my wish too.”

Marcus shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t care.

“It would be rude to keep your majesty here and talk on and on. So how about we get to the point right away?”

“Fine. What does Rome want? We are willing to listen to anything reasonable.”

“There is only one thing we ultimately want. To secure the Red Sea trade route completely. So please leave the west side to us, king of Nabataea.”

“What the hell...”

Malik I’s face turned pale at the outrageous demand.

< 162. Towards Arabia > – End