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Aegean Sea
27 miles from the eastern cost of Macedonia
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After a week of sailing, Marius´ naval forces arrived at Aegean sea. For five days Classis Marsillia and Classis Cerinthe fleets searched for the enemy´ fleet in vain. Frustrated the two Prefects decided to follow the second part of their plan.

Prefect Publius Lucaetonus, commander of the Classis Cerinthe fleet, called one of his officers and ordered him, “Titus, is quite clear to me that soon we will not find or engage the enemy’s fleet in this vast sea. So is better for us to follow the second part of our plan and start to blockade the principal ports in Macedonia.”

The young officer Titus replied “Very well commander, shall we send a message to Prefect Persus Antocos?”

Prefect Publius Lucaetonus responded “Yes, of course. I think he also knows that this is the best solution for now. So prepare our warships to start the blockade. One thing very important, if some Aegean League warships come in sight, avoid contact with them and by the gods don´t antagonize them. Marius gave us strict orders to avoid war with the Aegean League at all cost.”

Officer Titus smiled and commented “Of course commander, we are here to fight against the traitor not with the Greeks. I will give your instructions to our men. Soon we will blockage all ports in Macedonia”

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Aegean Sea
Eastern Coast of Macedonia
Blockade of all important ports
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Classis Marsillia fleet moved slowly to north, while Classis Cerinthe fleet moved quickly to south.

After six days of naval manoeuvres Classis Marsillia fleet blocked the most important cities ports in north-east, like Thessalonica, Potidaea, Stagira, Mende and Terone.


Meanwhile after twelve days of voyage and manoeuvres the Classis Cerinthe fleet blocked the principal cities ports in south-east.

Fortunately for Marius´ naval forces the Aegean league fleet didn’t interfere with the blockade process.

Prefect Publius Lucaetonus met with his colleague “Persus, Neptune smiled upon us! It was a good idea for you to send Marius´ letter to Paramonos, leader of the Aegean League. The Aegean League didn’t interfere with our blockage, and now all important ports in eastern cost of Macedonia are blocked by our naval forces. Perhaps the elevation of Agrippa Maxus to Emperor has assisted us… he seems to inspire less opposition than Marius.”

Prefect Persus Antocos responded with serious face. It was clear that he wasn´t so optimist “As you know, we also blocked an important port on in western cost of Macedonia as well. During our voyage into the Adriatic Sea I gave orders to a dozen small warships to block the port of Anactorium. This city is small but could be used by the enemy to receive supplies. Regarding the Aegean League fleet, I am not so sure that they will continue to act as they have. After all, we haven’t yet destroyed enemy’s fleet as Marius wrote in his letter, and the enemy will increase the pressure on Macedonia.”

Prefect Persus Antocos paused and then continued “In few weeks our blockade will start to have a devastating effect on the enemy’s troops. Without food and supplies from Egypt and Asia Minor, the enemy’s soldiers will starve and their morale will drop drastically. However the danger is the enemy, desperate and angry with their situation, will turn against Macedonia and will start to forage food, and will steal money and goods from the local population. This is serious and may have a negative effect against us as well”

Prefect Publius Lucaetonus thought for a brief moment and then said “Well, it is better to be alert and continue our effort to communicate one to each other on a regular basis. Communication is vital to us in case the enemy attack. Anyway I think sooner or later Fortunus’ fleet will try to rescue their troops in Macedonia, and then we will engage and destroy them. Is a question of time and we must trust in ourselves and in Neptune’s protection”

Prefect Persus Antocos nodded his head in agreement.

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Aegean Sea
Island of Lemnos
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According the Prefects´ plan, Classis Marsillia fleet took the strategic control of a position on the island of Lemnos in the north-east of the Aegean sea. Following the same plan, Classis Cerinthe fleet now established a base on the island of Scyrus in the shout–west of the Aegean sea. Both islands provided drinking water and some food (fruits, deer meat, wild boars, eggs and some birds) which helped Marius´ sailors to survive during their mission. Also these two strategic islands were important to Marius´ naval forces for two reasons. The first one was to provide wood, rope and raw materials for small repairs in their warships, the second one were the mountains which allowed to maintain vigilance of a vast region of the Aegean Sea near the principal commercial routes and blocked cities ports.

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By: Agrippa Marius Vitellius
Edited by: GMs

AD 72