ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 202 The preparations of both sides before the war begins

It is true that when Plessinas entered the great harbor of Tarentum, he did not see several detachments of Tarantum warships that usually patrol the offshore.Despite this, he continued to shamelessly request the Senate of Tarantum: even if only a few warships were sent to Thurii.

He had a small calculation in his mind: Crotone would never dare to provoke Tarantum again when it was at war with Dionia, so even if there were only a few Tarantum warships patrolling the east coast of Dionia It can serve as a facade and a deterrent, thereby ensuring the basic safety of Dionia's coastline.

However, the Senate of Tarentum still refused to persuade Plessinas, so the shameless man returned without success.

As soon as Plessinas returned to the port of Thurii, Crotone's fleet arrived. Thurii's maritime trade routes were immediately cut off, and the port fell into panic.

Olivers arrived with a large patrol to help Marage maintain order.

After Davos learned of Tarantum's decision, he thought for a while and said to Aristocrates, the scribe beside him: "I seem to remember that the Spartan envoy once went to Tarantum?"

"Yes, Aristelas reported at the time, 'The Spartans hoped that Tarentum would abolish its alliance with us and take the lead in fighting us, but this was rejected by the Tarentum Senate.'"

"But it still worked." Davos sighed, and then sneered: Tarantum, you want to sit on the mountain and watch the fight between tigers and tigers!Well, this war is ultimately up to us!

"Go and tell Aristiras that we can close the net on the Crotone spy."

"Yes!"

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

The Dionysians closed the port. As expected by Tratus, he had already discussed it with the corresponding Crotone clipper: to obtain it every night on a specific beach at the mouth of the Craty River. his intelligence.

Just as he was starting to write a secret letter again, the door was suddenly knocked open and four or five people poured in.

In panic, he subconsciously grabbed the papyrus roll in his hand. As soon as he shouted: "Who are you--" he was pushed to the ground by the people who rushed in, and his clenched hands were also broken open. The unbroken papyrus was also taken away, and his expression suddenly changed.

"This afternoon, about 1 people were fully armed and stationed in the military camp in Turii, and a thousand heavy infantry were stationed at the port. It is said that the citizen soldiers of Amendolara are already on their way to Turii. Niutum—— "A clear voice sounded above his head: "Tratus, I have to admit that your observation and calculation skills are really good. The information written to Crotone is very consistent with the facts. No wonder Crotone People will send you to Turiyi and stay here for half a year. I wonder what your impression is of this place?"

Hearing this, Tratus' heart sank. He already understood that his whereabouts were already in the control of the Dionians.

When he was lifted up, he saw a tall, thin, middle-aged man with an elegant appearance standing in front of him, looking at him with interest.

"What do you want from me?" Tratus asked in a low voice with a dry throat.

The tall and lanky man didn't say anything. He took something from someone else and brought it to Tratus: it was a small, crudely carved wooden knife.

Tratus suddenly opened his eyes with a look on his face, struggling hard and shouting: "What did you do to my child?! You caught my child, didn't you?! He is only seven years old! Hera is here Come on, please spare him!! Spare him!! I can do anything you want!!..." He begged bitterly and broke down in tears at the end.

The tall and thin man said with a stern expression: "Your wife and children are still in Crotone City, but under the surveillance of our people. Let me introduce myself. My name is Aristiras, Lord Consul Davos." intelligence officer (although Davos promised to give him this position, he is still a free citizen and not an official yet), giving you a choice to work for Dionia. If you refuse, not only will you die, but you will also suffer from The sick wife will die of illness because of lack of money, and the son will become a slave; and if you agree, you will become a reserve citizen of Dionia. We will try our best to rescue your wife and children, and let alliance doctors treat your wife. Sick, you know that the medical skills of our alliance are even better than those of Crotone!" Aristelas paused for a moment and saw Tratus lowering his head with a gloomy face, so he said in a deep voice: "It's a medical skill. It's your choice whether to die."

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

At dusk, Crotone's chief general Milon received a secret report from Thurii: This afternoon, Thurii began to gather citizen soldiers. It is reported that about [-] citizens in the city gathered in Victory Square, and the villages outside the city are still mobilizing. , a large number of citizens have not yet entered the city of Thurii.Turui has sent about a thousand soldiers to the port and many cavalry to patrol the coast. Amendolara and Niutum have not yet seen the arrival of the army.

Crotone has learned about the situation through Tratus' intelligence and the released soldiers in the past six months. Chief General Milon knows something about Dioria and is very wary of Dioria, so They had been prepared in advance, and after helping Crimesa eliminate the mercenaries, they immediately launched war mobilization.This time, in order to completely defeat Dionia, Crotone and its affiliated Asprostum gathered all the troops they could: 2 Crotone, Asprostum 3000 people; Crotone's ally Siliting was originally a large city, but it suffered the most serious losses in the last raid of the Dionian Alliance, but for revenge, it still squeezed out 1000 troops; close to Bu Trina of the Luti also sent [-] men, and this time Crotone did not refuse; only Coulonia, and Crotone refused its reinforcements, because Crotone was to the south of Coulonia. The enemy Locle Alliance, although it has not had much movement in recent years, Crotone knows that Locle has been eyeing the north. If when he was at war with Dionia, Locle suddenly attacked and was captured by it. If Niya is the enemy, then it can successfully take over Siriting, which is short of major generals, and reach Crotone, which is empty in the rear... Therefore, the vigilance and defense against Locri must not be relaxed.

At the same time, the battle with Dionia must start as soon as possible. We cannot wait for the troops of Dionia to arrive before attacking.Therefore, Crotone went against the usual procrastinating pre-war preparations of the Greek city-states. This time, Crotone appeared to be particularly efficient. Not only did it complete the assembly within one day, but the reinforcements from the allies also rushed on their way under his urging.

In fact, Locri was extremely happy to learn about the news of the war between Crotone and Dionia. After discussion, its council sent envoys to Dionia. Unexpectedly, Crotone was not only on the land The road to the north was blocked, and there were always Croto civil war ships cruising on the east coast of Magna Greece from Cape Aliche to the north, forcing the Locri envoy to change the course, planning to turn the passenger ship to Sicily to the southwest, and then Turn to the northeast and disembark at Tarantum, then take the land route in a large circle.

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Davos was analyzing Crotone's military intelligence with the generals of the legion and discussing strategies to deal with the enemy. Aristocrates came in and whispered a few words to him. Davos nodded and said, "Let them in. .”

He turned to the generals and said: "Brothers, here come Zantiparis and Thormid."

There was a sudden silence in the living room where they were still arguing.

Zantiparis and Tormid hurried in with worried faces. They didn't expect so many people in the living room, and they were also stunned.

At this time, Davos smiled and said: "I was about to call you two, but I didn't expect you to come first. We are about to start discussing how to deal with the Crotone people. Come in and tell us your opinions."

Zantiparis and Tormid looked at each other, then knelt down on one knee and said apologetically: "Lord Davos... and... comrades, we are really... sorry for you! Give it to Dai Vos... Onia has brought war, and it has also brought trouble to you! Timazon and Crisano have been in frequent contact with mercenaries some time ago and have repeatedly asked our opinions. We always thought they just wanted to leave. Here, I didn’t expect...we-"

"Tima Song's affairs have nothing to do with you!" Davos interrupted them and said seriously and seriously: "Everyone has his own ideas and the life he likes to live. You and other mercenaries have chosen Staying instead of leaving means that you agree with the system of Dioria, like to live here, and are willing to become citizens of Dioria. Then come and fight with us! In front of the army of Crotone, you will be tested The time has come! Use your heroic performance to respond to other people's doubts, prove to the people of Dionia that we did not misjudge the person at the beginning, and also prove your determination to defend Dionia to the death, so that the people of Dionia can voluntarily Welcome you with open arms!"

"Davos is right! Zantiparis, Tormid, let us fight together and defeat the Crotones! Avenge Timasone and the others!"

"Great, we can finally fight together again!"

……

Amyntas, Antonios and others expressed their warm welcome to Zantiparis and Thormid, which made them relieved.

Note: When the Crotones gathered their army to attack the Dionian Alliance, the fourth volume of this book has come to an end.Wondering if Dionia could survive the onslaught of the Crotones?Can it be reversed and won?Please read the next volume: Overlord of South Italy
I remember that I stopped writing the last novel "From City-State to Empire" when I was about to start writing the volume "Hegemony of Southern Italy". After so many years, it has always been a regret in my heart. This time, I have rewritten it here. But long-cherished wish.

　Thanks to book friends A$ "卐" Sha Zhizhou "Xian Kong" and Kite 2001 for the reward!Your support is the greatest support for my writing!

　　The fourth volume is over. Didn’t the brothers celebrate and give rewards?
　　
　
(End of this chapter)