Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece - Chapter 769

[Chapter 115 Defending Rome]

During this short break, Portitus also called his confidant slave: “Come home and get me some food. Top” he said aloud, while he kept stroking his crutches with his hands. .

“Honorable master, what do you want for dinner?” the clever house slave immediately asked loudly.

“What an idiot, have I forgotten all the things I love to eat? I want to tell you again!”

“I don’t want the bread, I have bad teeth, I can’t bite, bring me a big bowl of hot porridge, and…” Portitus said, his voice getting smaller and smaller because of exhaustion .

The slave could only get closer, and then he heard the whisper of his master: “Send someone overnight to inform Camillous of the news of the Dionian army’s invasion of Latium!”

Watching the slave leave the venue, Portitus was in a trance: even if there is only a slight possibility, Rome cannot be damaged, only you can be wronged, Camillous!

But as long as I am here, no one dares to accuse you in the Senate!

Portitus glanced around the venue and found that no one seemed to notice his small movements, so he leaned back in the ivory chair and closed his eyes.

At this time, the elders were discussing: Carthage had already fought against Dionia, and a report of the battle was sent back from Sicily. Why did the Dionysians not concentrate on dealing with Carthage, and dare to send a large army to Rome? ?

!

“Is it because Carthage has been defeated by Dionia, so Dionia can free up her hand and send an army to attack us?”

“That was just a small defeat. Carthage is a strong country in the Western Mediterranean. Why? It is possible to decide the outcome with Dionia in such a short period of time! I think it must be because the war has just begun, and Carthage did not use its full strength to allow Dionia to cope with it easily, so they dared to send The army is attacking us.”

“We should send emissaries to inform the Carthaginians that they should intensify their attack on Dionia and fully fulfill their obligations as allies!”

“It’s easy to say, but how do you know?! The coast of Ladium is now completely under the control of the Dionysian fleet.

” Although they blocked the coast of Ladium, they did not block the coast of Etruscania, and there are many of our affiliated city-states in the south of Etruria. Couriers can take their ships and go north, along the coast, Finally on the shores of Iberia, the sphere of influence of the famous Carthaginian royal family, the Magnid family, whose chief had just been appointed commander-in-chief of the Carthaginian army

to fight against Dionia… ”

This is a good idea! As long as the Carthaginians knew that Dionysus had sent a large army to Rome, they would definitely increase their attack on Sicily. Dionysus would definitely have difficulty dealing with the war between the south and the north.” If they continue, they will definitely retreat from Ladium to avoid being defeated by the Carthaginians.”

“We can’t rely too much on Carthage. In fact, with the 100,000 civic troops and allied troops we have now, and the ability to recruit Led by the adept Camillous, he can completely defeat the incoming Dionian army!…”

“Scipio the Great is right! We are fighting on our own land, and there is absolutely no need to fear the Dionians. We should take this opportunity to defeat them, establish the prestige of our Rome, and then take full control of Latium!” The

elders still agreed in a heated debate, “Tomorrow, send messengers, go north to Etruria, take a boat to sea, and go to sea. Carthage for help” proposal, and also had the idea of looking for an opportunity to fight against the Dionian army after Camelus returned with his troops.

In the evening, word finally came back: the army of 25,000 soldiers led by Paulus, Megios, and Pantheus was crushed by a Dionysian army of almost the same number.

This bad news caused a long silence for the entire Senate.

After a long time, some of the elders began to shout in a guilty conscience: The Dionysian army is so strong, and Camelus should be sent back to defend Rome immediately!

There are even a very small number of people who propose: simply negotiate with Dionia and return the occupied Volsi territory…

Of course, this was strongly criticized by most of the elders, while Apuleus and Maruji who supported him Neensis is trying to comfort the panicked elders. Their biggest reliance is: there is no news from Ostia, indicating that it has not fallen into the hands of the Dionysians…

Portitus looked at it coldly Facing the endless quarrel in the venue, without saying a word, I was grateful for the decision I had made

before

…

The Senate was brightly lit by candles, as was the Roman Forum, and there was a lot of noise.

After receiving an urgent notice from the Roman patrol, countless people came out of their houses one after another and gathered in the square.

These people fall into two main categories: teenagers aged 15 to 17 and seniors over 50.

Because in addition to the 3,000 young and middle-aged citizen soldiers stationed in the city of Rome, other Roman citizens who are suitable for military service have followed Camillous to expedition to Herniki.

In addition, a small number of women wandered around the square, inquiring about the “Dionian attack” from the Roman soldiers who maintained order.

Compared with the panic-stricken women, most of the old people gathered in the square seemed calm. They had experienced many wars in their lives and had long since changed their minds. The teenagers were very excited, and they longed to grow up and serve in the military. , like his father and brother, he fought on the battlefield and won honor for himself.

Therefore, although there are many people in the square, it is orderly and not chaotic.

People came to the recruiter in turn and reported their name, clan, Tribs, and their previous military resumes, and the recruiter then assigned the applicants to a certain squadron and to a certain army. middle job.

Also, veterans mostly have their own armor and weapons, while teens have only a few, so they need to be equipped.

Ambostus stood on the platform of the square and looked at the dark crowd below. He felt some peace of mind, and his original worries were also eliminated a lot.

“Father!” A crisp voice sounded in his ear, and he turned his head to look with a kind smile on his face: “Konya, why are you here?

” Said: “Stolo heard the patrol’s notice and wanted to know if Rome is really in danger?”

“Don’t worry, this is just a precaution, let Stolo recuperate at home.” Ambustos waved his hand , said with a relaxed expression.

After sending off his little daughter, the people in the square were gradually dispersing, but Ambustus’ expression became more and more solemn. He couldn’t help but ask the patrol captain Cassius: “The people in the Aventine area Have the people really notified?”

“I can swear to Jupiter that I really sent a patrol to the Aventine area to notify you along the street!” Cassius eagerly defended.

“Then why haven’t they come yet?!” Ambostus was a little anxious. In his opinion, compared to these old people and children, the civilians and free people in the Aventine area should be the main force in defending the city of Rome.

Cassius smiled bitterly and said, “Sir, it’s not like you don’t know that the people there are either always fighting against our nobles and against the Senate, or they are refugees who have only joined Rome these years and are not loyal to Rome at all.

” Don’t say it.” Ambestus interrupted him and reminded softly: “Now before the enemy, all Romans should unite…”

Ambestus suddenly stopped speaking, because the distance was far away. There was a loud noise.

He finally showed a smile: “Look, they are here!”

…………………………………………

Why didn’t news of Ostia come back to Rome that night?

This is because Davos sealed the city of Ostia by land and sea, and after the city was broken, no one or a ship escaped from Ostia.

And during the siege, he ordered Midorades to send all the fast three-deck oars to block off the coastal waters of Ostia and not allow any ships to approach.

At the same time on land, he also sent out the mountain reconnaissance brigade, blocking the surrounding area of Ostia, so that the spies of Rome and the Latin allies could not understand the battle situation in Ostia. It was not until evening that he let Izah Mu will withdraw the reconnaissance brigade.

Even if the Roman spies discovered something strange later, UU read www.

sonicmtl.com It’s the second day since I rushed back to Rome.

When Amyntas’ messengers arrived at Ostia, Daves was accompanied by Midorades to the port.

“Your Majesty, in fact, you don’t need to go to the port at all. We have made several statements to the laborers in the port, and most of them have expressed their willingness to assist us…” Midorads persuaded Davos as he walked.

“Midorades, I believe in your ability to do things.” Davos said seriously: “But you must know that this is the first time that our Dionysus has occupied the territory of the Latins. They are very unfamiliar to us. We are more afraid of our strength. With me, the king, appearing in person, we can convince them of our commitments and provide us with more help. Moreover, with their demonstrations, when we occupy other Latin towns, we can manage It’s much easier to get up.”

Midorades nodded vaguely, knowing that Davos had made up his mind, and he didn’t dare to persuade him any more.

Davos certainly didn’t expect an admiral to understand his approach from a global perspective. After all, he was thinking of a big game of chess, so he changed the subject and asked: “These laborers and sailors in the port Where did they all come from?”