ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 1024 The decisive battle with Selinus ([-])

At this time, Mago's mind was already filled with the idea of ​​"going out to the camp to fight and defeat the King of Dionia". He did not care about the news of "the Selinus defenders attacked", but instead sent messengers to let He informed Hasdrubal to drive off the garrison of Selinus as quickly as possible, and then came to join him in camp.

At the same time, he sent messengers to inform Stikamo and Kisgo to prepare.

The camp regained its stability, and the Dionian defenders were not fearful. Instead, it was more conducive to capturing the port, and preparations were under way for the camp to fight... Everything was deflecting in the direction that Carthage favored.

Mago stood on the city wall, picking up the stone bricks with both hands, staring at the two dazzling flags of the Dionian army outside the camp, like a tiger lurking in the grass, about to pounce.

However, the anxious shouts broke his fantasy: "Master Mago! Master Mago! Not good! The number of Dionian troops attacking from the port is very large, and the attack is fierce. Our troops in the city have begun to retreat!"

"What?!" Mago, Pomilka and the surrounding entourage were all shocked.

"What the hell is Hasdrubal doing!" Mago yelled angrily.

"Lord Mago... No wonder there may be less than 2 enemies of King Dionia outside the camp. They may have hidden their main force in the port of Selinus!" Pomilka suddenly realized at this time.

Of course, Ma Ge also understood: Since Dionia and the Numibians have colluded, taking advantage of the Numibian rebellion and the turmoil in the camp, the Dionia army wants to take advantage of the fire, and it is more difficult to attack from the outside, because The Carthage camp was protected by the city walls, but ambushing in the port, taking advantage of the exhaustion of the Carthage attacking army, it was easier to launch a counterattack to achieve results!

At this time, Mago had no time to reflect on his negligence. The situation took a turn for the worse. He immediately realized that Hasdrubal's army was attacked by a powerful enemy and was defeated. Now that the troops in the camp were scattered, it was probably too late to reach the city of Selinus. For rescue, the only way is to concentrate all our efforts on holding the Carthage camp!
He made up his mind and issued an order decisively: "Immediately inform Kisger and Stikamo, let them lead the army to defend the inner wall of the camp, prevent the Dionian army from attacking the camp, and at the same time guide—"

Before Mago finished speaking, a deafening sound of fighting came from the south of the camp.

The crowd changed again.

It turned out that the Carthaginian army was completely defeated too quickly, and the Dionysian army was also pursuing it very quickly. By the time the Carthaginian messengers rushed back to the camp and reported the news to Mago, the Carthaginian army had been driven out of the city. , running towards the Carthage camp, which was only more than a mile away from Selinus City, and the soldiers of the Dionysian Legion were chasing after them.

In order to capture the city of Selinus, Mago went through great pains to build the earth wall connected to the outer city wall of Selinus. Now it is convenient for the Dionysian army. Some legionnaires rushed along the earth wall. Come over, since the Carthaginian army has advanced the offensive line to the inner city wall of Selinus, there are no defenders placed on the wall inside the camp, allowing the Dionysian army to easily rush in from multiple directions. Carthage camp.

The Carthaginian army and the Dionysian army soon turned the entire camp into chaos.

Mago stood on the city wall, looking at the soldiers running around in the camp. What he heard most was: "Help! Run away! We are defeated!..."

After a devastating defeat, Mago had completely lost control of the Carthaginian army and was at a loss for a moment.

At this moment, he saw that there was actually an army in a relatively complete formation, rushing in from the south. The general at the head was Kisgo. He rushed to the city wall and shouted: "Master Mago, All the Numibians have rebelled! The situation is very critical. I will lead my troops to escort you. Let’s... escape the camp quickly!"

The Numibian camp is mainly in the southeast of the Carthage camp, not far from the city wall where Mago is located. Kisgo led the army to sit there before, and it was not a big surprise to be able to arrive in time, but in In such a chaotic situation, it is not easy to ensure that the troops under your command are basically intact.

Mago stood on the city wall, looking around the huge camp where the defeated soldiers were running and wailing and screaming. He remembered that a few months ago, he ambitiously vowed to lead an army of 10 to land in Sicily, but it all came to nothing in the blink of an eye. .

Why did it suddenly become like this! ... Mago was very unwilling, and finally his eyes fell on the Dionian army outside the camp. The shining golden flag was so dazzling, an idea suddenly appeared in his heart, and he shouted Said: "Kisgo, lead your troops and follow me out of the camp!"

The Carthage camp was filled with dust and fog, and the noise was loud. Soldiers continued to escape from the camp. The Dionysian army outside the camp was naturally aware of it. Obviously, the plan drawn up in advance had been successful. Davos and the others felt very Inspired, Davos issued an order: "The army speeds forward and approaches the eastern gate of the camp to intercept the fleeing troops."

This time Tormid made no objection.

But not long after, he reminded loudly: "Your Majesty, these Carthaginian soldiers who just left the camp seem to be preparing to attack us!"

Of course, Davos also noticed this abnormal situation: there were a large number of Carthaginian soldiers who had just poured out of the camp. They didn't run away in a hurry like other soldiers, but gathered together, turned towards them, and started to line up!
"Go and call Sextus!" Not long after Davos finished speaking, Sextus, the captain of the Roman reserve brigade, rushed to him.

"Sextus, didn't you complain that the Roman brigade was not involved in this battle? Now the opportunity has come." Davos pointed forward and said seriously: "Did you see it? The Carthaginians are preparing to attack us. Attacking, wanting to make up for the defeat of their camp by victory. You should be well aware that in this army, except for the Roman reserve cohort and cavalry, everyone else is in charge, so that it seems that the opponent has more numbers than us, but I hope Can the Roman reserve brigade serve as the main force to attack the enemy on the opposite side and completely shatter their illusions?"

After hearing this, Sextus gave a powerful military salute and said confidently: "Your Majesty, don't worry, this battle will be left to our Roman reserve brigade!"

Davos immediately returned the military salute and said: "Tell the brothers that I will follow them forward, and my safety depends on their victory!"

Only then did Sextus feel a great responsibility. He looked at Daves' firm expression, swallowed the words he wanted to persuade, and turned and ran towards his brigade.

At the same time, the three commanders of the cavalry corps, Ledes, Cuccius, and Acethemis, were also summoned and arrived.

Davos stared at them and said in a deep voice: "I know that the cavalry has not played a big role in the battle with the Carthaginians so far. The next battle may be the last battle in Sicily. , I hope you can revive the reputation of the Dionysian Cavalry!"

The three legion commanders looked at each other, fighting spirit burning in their eyes.

Ledes said excitedly: "Your Majesty, just give the order. We will definitely let the Carthaginians see the power of the Dionian cavalry!"

"Very good! The First Cavalry Corps is located on the left wing of the Roman reserve group, and the Second and Third Cavalry Corps are located on the right wing. After the attack bugle sounded, they immediately launched a frontal attack on the Carthaginian front! After defeating the enemy, Continue to pursue all the defeated troops who escaped from the Carthage camp!"

"Yes!!"

After Ledes and the others left, Davos immediately told Tormid: "Send someone to notify the Numibian cavalry and ask them to come immediately to attack the rear of the Carthaginian army."

"Your Majesty, those Numibian cavalry may not obey orders." Tormid said with some worry.

Davos smiled slightly and said confidently: "The reason why the Numibian cavalry is willing to cooperate with us in executing today's battle plan is because they know the news that the Carthage fleet was almost completely destroyed. Now the Carthage army is about to be destroyed. , these smart wallflowers will make the right choice!"

As they were getting closer and closer to the Carthage camp, the Roman reserve group at the front of the army had gradually transformed into a checkerboard-like array during the march. In Rome, they had practiced this set of tactics very skillfully. The Dionysian Legion's tactics are roughly the same, only more detailed and complex, but after repeated drills during this period, they have mastered them.

Sextus rode to the front of the array, raised his hands high, attracted the attention of the soldiers, and then shouted loudly: "Brothers, you will become citizens of the Kingdom of Dionia like me. After that, we saw the power and prosperity of the kingdom, and obtained land and rights. We are all very fortunate that we made the right choice, but we also have shortcomings. Many Dionian citizens view us with contempt because we once He is a defeated person who has not made any outstanding contributions to this powerful kingdom, but enjoys the same rights as them!

Now the opportunity has come. This time we will become the main force in the battle and face the Carthaginians in the front. Use all your strength and courage to defeat them and use victory to tell other citizens of the kingdom that we Romans are not weak! "

"Roar! Roar! Roar!..." The Roman soldiers with high morale beat their long shields with their daggers, making an ear-splitting roar.

At this time, the bugle sounded, and Sextus turned the horse's head and waved his hand forward: "Forward!"

.......................................

Outside the Carthage camp, the Carthaginian military commander Mago also shouted loudly to the panicked soldiers to boost their morale: "Citizens of Carthage and Phoenician allies, this war with In the Dionian war, we failed, our fleet was destroyed, and we were trapped on Sicily. We were about to become prisoners of the Dionians and their slaves, and we would be in the dark mines. We will work to death, and our home in Africa will be invaded by the Dionians. Are we willing to suffer the tragic fate that the lowly Dionians want to impose on us?!"

The soldiers raised their heads one by one, and their originally depressed eyes were now focused on Mago.

Mago pointed forward with all his strength and roared: "Have you seen the Dionian army in front of us? The Dionian king who brought disaster to us is in that team! Warriors, show your courage , defeat them, capture the King of Dionia, and we can go home safely!"

(End of this chapter)