**Note: This .zip file contains two maps as noted in the description below.***

Caesar has decided to expand the limits of the empire east. His scouts found a large lifeless inland lake, which they named "Dead Sea". It seems that the water is polluted by mineral salts.

The lake is filled by several rivers, but has no outlet. Maybe the water slowly evaporates.

The mining potential of the rocks is appealing to Ceasar. His advisor finds the rock rich in iron, but not suitable for marble. Ample forestry was also reported.

His scouts steered clear of the rocks, and marked a path across the land, though even that simple route took them several months to travel. They described great barren plains to south and east, but beat a path across the northern hills to the west.

They passed farmland along the way, where one of the rivers made a fresh water pool. Ceasar believes that there is ample scope for pottery, but I'm not so sure, as one of his advisors, an influental merchant said that much of the available fresh water would be needed for farming and for building reserviours. It looks like the merchants won't be looking to buy pottery from you.

The land seems fertile enough for local wine, but the climate is too cold for olive groves.

Ceasar was conviced that further investigation would lead to more fresh water, as the scouts had reported signs of local villages, sheltered behind rocks by the lake.

Caesar thinks that an architect would be best suited to this province, improving the roads marked by his scouts, and creating a small Roman city with good defences. So far from Rome, he does not expect great culture. There are also few traders willing to travel to this isolated land.

There are a number of small hostile tribes, who troubled Ceasars scouts somewhat, but they did not seem organized. Expect them to plunder your city, and defend well. Experience has shown that once locals have seen the streanth of Roman legions, they become more organized, and may even form aliances against you.

Ceasar hopes to call on your Legions from time to time, to defend the perimiter of his empire.

Goal:
Culture: 45
Prosperity: 40
Peace: 55
Favor: 65
Population: 6000

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Several Years later...

Dead Sea at Peace

Tired of the dangerous route, the mercahants give up on your city, too far from Rome. The city decays. The empire continues to grow, until eventually all barbarian tribes are beaten back, and the land is safe.

You may return to build a city at peace, though I expect that you will create much higher prosperity.