Rise of the Songhai: Theodora Sues for Peace

Now that we control the Eastern Mediterranean my forces can put pressure on Theodora's capital Constantinople. I don't want to capture it because it would put a huge hole in my Happiness Level. I also need to repair a couple of damaged warships.

My faithful Trireme gets a well-deserved promotion then I bring it to Benghasi for repairs.

My Trebuchet on Crete destroys the enemy Bowman then I move a damaged Galleass into friendly waters so it can also be repaired. Finally a second Galleass bombards a Swordsman near Constantinople.

War or no war I still have the Realm to run - I build a Colosseum in Agadez and because Alexandria is now functioning I place the emphasis on Production.

I've also moved two Galleass's nearer to the enemy capital :)

Persepolis appears to have been saved by the arrival of a Siamese Horde.....

940 AD: Kisangani is now connected to the Road Network and I can choose a new Social Policy. It wasn't an easy decision but in the end I chose Exploration because I intend researching Astronomy next and the enhanced capability of my naval units will be very useful.

Another Forest is sacrificed in the name of progress and I purchase the second Crete hex and will later move my Trebuchet there.

My warships bombard Constantinople three times...

....the city has lost about a quarter of its strength.

It is enough to bring Theodora to the negotiating table. I accept the offer without wrangling. I got what I wanted, Alexandria - I didn't loose a single unit and Mt. Sinai, which produces 8 Faith pts. per turn is now inside my borders.

Attila also makes peace with Sweden and that means he can now concentrate on his SW flank.

945 AD: Two of my Galleass warships need repairs and I place my Trebuchet in ready-mode.

I change a Caravan Trade Route from Tombouctu to M'banza-Kongo. That region of Africa is safer now :)

I start building a Farm at Sudan and a Market at Ghannat.

That ends my turn and I refuse to do a deal with Theodora - we've just been at war Lady!! I can do a deal with someone else. To be honest, I am not sure if they are available for export....