On their fringes, a number of smaller realms seek to assert their independence, and perhaps one day carve up great kingdoms for themselves. Meanwhile, in the east, the Hellenistic behemoths of the Ptolemaic and Seleucid Kingdoms are about to face off in a contest for Syria and the rich cities of the Anatolian coast. Their expansion south will inevitably set them on a collision course with the prosperous thalassocracy of Carthage, who have become masters of a large part of Sicily. Having successfully defended themselves against Pyrrhus, they now set their sights on the rebellious Italic tribes and the defiant Greek cities in Samnium and Magna Graecia. To the west, a new power is emerging: Rome.
The once-dominant city-states of Athens and Sparta are now in their twilight, but perhaps there is still a chance for them to liberate the Greek lands from northern rule and restore themselves to their former glory. However, this peace is not to last long - the ever-ambitious Pyrrhus of Epirus, now returned from his Italian campaigns, eyes up the kingdom of Macedonia and the whole of Greece for himself. In the lands of Greece and Macedonia, the people are able to enjoy a brief respite after pushing back the tide of Galatians who invaded and plundered their lands four years ago.
