ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 126 Recruits and Training ([-])

The instructor told Alcinis: The process of fighting in the war is very short, and more time is spent on marching and camping, so a well-trained Amendolara citizen soldier must first adapt and learn how to march .

Alcinis trusted his instructor, because the instructor who served as the company captain was said to be a famous warrior in the entire army. He controlled his pace and regulated his breathing according to the methods taught by the instructor in order to save energy.

During the march, he also saw groups of Lucanian slaves passing by them carrying freshly cut tree trunks. In the past, he would have expressed his anger by insulting and throwing stones. But now he will not do this: on the one hand, he has adapted to the existence of these people. These slaves are the property of the city-state and are creating wealth for the city-state. Injuring them will not do him any good, but will be punished; on the other hand, The instructor told them that such an approach was a sign of weakness, and that a truly strong man must defeat his enemies on the battlefield.Alsinis wants to be a real strong man!
The five-kilometer armed march is over, but it’s not over yet. After a short rest, the recruits begin charge training. This is a training program that makes Alcinis feel a little bit exciting: the fully armed recruits first line up in a dense square formation, The drums sounded, and they started to march. The drums changed from slow to fast, and the speed of the recruits gradually changed from fast walking to jogging. Finally, while running fast, they had to cross trenches that were not wide and ridges, so some recruits fell down from time to time. .The most difficult part of charge training is to keep the formation while running. Everyone should not stand out too much or fall behind, so as to ensure that the phalanx can rush to the goal as a whole. The scolding never stops...

After a charge training, all the recruits' hands and feet were numb, their guns, shields and helmets were thrown aside, and they fell directly to the ground, gasping for breath.But the training was not over yet, the instructor kicked and pulled, and drove the recruits to the Sisno River.

The next training event is swimming, which is a favorite event for the recruits of Alcinis and the old citizens of Amendolara. Even though Amendolara is a mountain town, there are many rivers in the territory, so the citizens can swim.Alsinis and the others cheered, quickly took off their equipment, and plunged into the water. The cool river water immediately took away the heat caused by training, washed away the sweat and dust from their bodies, and also eliminated physical fatigue... After Alsinis and the others swam in the water for a while, they went ashore, because at this time the recruits had an sideshow to watch: many of the veterans who usually looked down on them and looked down on them were clumsy in the river. Learn to swim. It is a fact that the Greeks were a seafaring people and most of them knew how to swim. However, some city-states were located in mountainous areas and inland with few rivers. Naturally, people did not have the opportunity to learn to swim from childhood, such as Thessaly.

Although these veterans moved clumsily and choked on water, they still continued to practice persistently...

Alsinis smiled and stopped laughing.He remembered what the instructor said when explaining the importance of swimming: They were marching hard in Persia while fighting the Persians. They had to pass through many mountains and rivers on the way. Some of his comrades risked the enemy's attack because they couldn't swim. He was forced to cross the river with his bow and arrow, slipped and fell into the river, and drowned in vain.Therefore, in war, soldiers will encounter various unexpected situations, so it is best to learn various combat skills in order to protect themselves and kill the enemy.

At this time, a huge cheer came from the front, awakening Alcinis from his thoughts.

"What's wrong?" he asked his teammates who were looking downstream.

"I heard that the consul is competing with others in swimming." The answer was Melisander. His father also died in this war, and his mother, who was in her 30s, had just married the new senator of the Senate - military officer Felicius. , Melisanda was only 16 years old and had not yet reached the age of service, but he was stubborn and insisted on participating in the training. His purpose was the same as Alsinis. His adoptive father Felicius, who was pestered and helpless, had to go to Davos. First approved of his participation in training, but he could not go on the battlefield until he reached adulthood.Because Alsinis was close to him in age and was the youngest in the military camp, they became good friends.

"The Consul has come to swim too!" Alcinis was very surprised.

"Master Davos has always asked others to do it, and he has to do it himself first. He trains with the veterans, which you don't usually see." The instructor's voice rang in his ears.

Alsinis nodded and ran downstream excitedly.

"Wait for me!" Melishander yelled.

The two of them squeezed into the crowded crowd, and then they saw: five people were paddling hard in the river amidst the rapid sound of drums. One of them was paddling alternately with his hands, and his body was constantly leaning left and right, in a similar way to the two of them. The swimming movements I have never seen before are as fast as a big fish, leaving others behind for a long distance...

When the drumbeat stopped, the man stood up, with the Sisno River up to his waist. He was the Consul of Davos. Alcines had seen him at the referendum meeting before.

At this time, Davos smiled and said: "Who else is willing to come down and compete?"

The soldiers who had cheered loudly before immediately fell silent.

Seeing no one responded, Davers turned around and hugged several other players before preparing to go ashore.

Melisander pushed Alsinis hard, and Alsinis rushed out of the crowd. Facing the focused gazes of the crowd, he shouted loudly in desperation: "I...I'll do it!"

The soldiers were in an uproar: "It's a child!" There was regret in the words.

"What's wrong with the kid? Master Davos is only a few years older than us!" Melisandre retorted, leaving everyone speechless.

"You're right, Melisanda! There's no need to be young to be ambitious!" Davos smiled at Melisanda. Because of Felicius, he recognized this young man, and then focused his attention on Alcinis. : "It is often young people who dare to challenge!"

Alsinis walked to Davos nervously: Greeks of this era regarded strong naked bodies as beautiful, and naturally they were naked when swimming.Davos was of medium height and well-proportioned, and his eyes were particularly sharp, but the sharpness was obscured by the smile on his face at the moment.

Davos was also looking at Alsinis. He smiled and said, "I don't think I've seen you before. Are you a new recruit?"

"Yes, Lord Consul. My name is Alcines, the son of Aligras." Alcines said a little nervously: "I...I may not swim as fast as you, but I am willing to compete with you."

Davos praised loudly: "As a soldier, you must have the courage to fight! We Amendolara soldiers should and must have such a fighting spirit!"

After Davos finished speaking, the soldiers on the shore shouted in unison: "Wan Sheng! Wan Sheng!! Wan Sheng!!!..."

In such an atmosphere, Alsinis suddenly became less nervous and felt full of strength.Of course, the result of the game: he lost.

Davos patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him: "Train hard and you will become a warrior!"

Alsinis nodded vigorously. It was strange that even though Davers was only two years older than him, it felt like a respected elder was talking to him.

"Who is your instructor?" Davos asked again.

"Matonis."

"Oh, that guy." Davos said with a smile on his face: "Training under his guidance, you will feel happy because he is protective of your shortcomings; but you will also feel painful because he is strict, especially you."

This last sentence left Alsinis confused.

Davos raised his head and shouted to the surrounding soldiers: "Brothers, can I swim fast?"

"quick!!!"

"Want to learn?"

"think!!!"

"I will write down the essentials of my swimming movements and add them to the training item in the "Military Law". You will practice according to this in the future. I hope you can learn it as soon as possible!"

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

After the swim, the sun was already in the middle of the sky and it was time to eat.Traditionally, Greeks only eat two meals a day, but Davers believes that the soldiers train hard and consume too much, so they must eat at noon to complete the day's training.

The soldiers took out the bread and cheese they brought from home, while the military officer Felicius led his subordinates and slaves to provide each soldier with a bowl of mutton soup with meat. The money for selling the mutton now comes from the weapons shop. From the soldier fund, in addition to weapons and other items seized in future battles, the money from the sale of other items will be included in the military affairs department, so that training expenses can be covered.

Alsinis bit the bread and drank the steaming mutton soup. He felt that his body was gradually getting stronger again. He said: "Melisander, I heard the old man say, 'The consul is too powerful, and he is responsible for all laws and regulations. I decided not to give others a chance to discuss it because I wanted to be a dictator. It seems today that the Archon has a very easy-going personality!"

Melisander next to her curled her lips and said: "Don't listen to those old people, they are jealous! Because Lord Davos and the others became consuls and senators as soon as they became citizens of Amendolara, but They have this ability, otherwise you think Tulii would beg to sign an equal alliance agreement with us obediently, not because they are here, otherwise an envoy would have been sent to condemn him! I also hope that Lord Davos will be stronger, Don’t be like before when the Senate discussed a matter for a long time and couldn’t resolve it! Look at how much Amendolara has changed now!”

"You're right!" Alsinis took a sip of mutton soup and looked up at Melisander: "It seems that you and your adoptive father are getting along well."

Melisenda was taken aback, took a few bites of bread, and then said vaguely: "It's okay...he's good to my mother...it's okay to me, but if he can be more courageous like the instructor, It's even better..."

(End of this chapter)