‘At least my lord the prince Arnuwanda has served on more than one battlefield. Whereas the fat old men who command you, Roman – what are they, merchants, landowners, farmers? And, I hear, when they get bored with their generals they put them on trial and nail them to the nearest tree.’

‘We haven’t reached that point quite yet.’

Himuili shrugged. ‘Spare yourself that fate. All you need do is persuade your merchant bosses to open the city gates to us, and the war will cease.’

‘Really?’

‘We have not come to destroy, or slaughter. The Hatti kingdom has always been open to people of all kinds – New Hattusa was always a land of a thousand tongues, under the mercy of Jesus Sharruma. We don’t want to destroy Carthage. All we wish is to share.’

‘You are a million strong! Come to share a land already starving?’

‘But what choice is there? After all we can’t withdraw, for we have nowhere to go. Your merchant princes must understand that. And even if you were somehow to manage a victory over us, what would you do with us all?’

‘Sell you as slaves in return for wheat. Egypt is a big country. Always lots of work for slaves. You could build a new mausoleum for the Pharaoh, perhaps.’

Himuili laughed. ‘You do amuse me, Fabius. Are all Romans comedians?’

Fabius grunted. ‘Since we’ve been the butt of jokes by the all-conquering Carthaginians since before your Jesus walked the world, we have to be.’

‘Ha! I’ve heard some of them. What do you call a Roman raising a cup of victory wine? The waiter! But time is running out for you, comedian.’ Himuili leaned forward, intent. ‘My own spies tell me that. Factions at your court are pressing you to come out of these walls and give battle.’

‘You know as well as I do that you Hatti would probably win such a battle. Which is why it won’t happen. Besides, there’s an equally vocal faction on the councils who want to negotiate some kind of peace.’

‘And you, what passes for a military commander in this city, must try to satisfy the contradictory demands of your rulers.’

‘This is the Carthaginian way, Himuili, and it’s served them well for a long time.’

‘Hmm. If you ask me, they’ve already got you crucified, Roman.’

Fabius drily raised his cup of wine to his opponent.

Now the event reached some subtle milestone. The servants withdrew and more formal negotiations began, with the Tawananna directly addressing the senior Carthaginians, amid a buzz of translators and assistants.

The talks lasted hours. Kassu and Henti stood in stiff silence, with the silent ranks of aides, servants, slaves and soldiers.