ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 280 Conflict
After all, the Dionysia military camp is close to the city of Tarantum and is still far away from the battlefield, so it does not need to be very complex and strong.Therefore, when Davos attended the operational meeting the next day, the entire military camp was at rest.According to the provisions of military law: During non-war times, one person from each team in the military camp can be granted leave and must return before sunset.

Now it is in a semi-war state, and it is still uncertain when the army will go to the battlefield.Therefore, Antonios, who also served as military officer, issued an order: All soldiers who went out could only wander around the military camp and must return when they heard the bugle.

The soldiers did not stay idle in the camp. Most of them were keen on some confrontational games, which were organized by the upper levels of the regiment, such as tug-of-war, rugby games, football games... etc. The soldiers enjoyed it.But there is one thing that is prohibited. Gambling is not allowed. Once discovered, military law will be dealt with.

The purpose of a few soldiers going out on leave was to see the famous city of Tarantum in southern Italy. After all, most of them were not merchants or wealthy people. They had to work in the fields all year round and did not have time to go to Tarantum, which was only separated by a bay. Tom travel.But since it was stipulated that they were not allowed to enter the city of Tarantum, they could only hang out in the market in front of the military camp.

As a result, the traders in Tarantum began to shout loudly.

"Come and take a look! Hippopotamus skin, a sacred object from Egypt, the great eastern country! Look how thick it is! Use a knife to scratch it twice... Look, there are no traces at all! If you use it to make leather armor, it will be light and lightweight. It’s also strong, so you don’t have to worry about getting hurt when fighting!”

"Brother, have you ever seen this kind of straight sword? Look, it's edged on both sides, and it's very sharp! ... It doesn't matter, give it a try... Is it a little heavy?! This is a native of the Iberian Peninsula It’s a short sword used by humans. I heard that the Carthaginians have never been able to conquer the Illyrian Peninsula because they suffered from this kind of weapon!”

……

Because they want to earn money from the soldiers, the majority of people in the small market are vendors selling weapons, followed by food.

"Try this date palm from Libya. Even though it is small, it is very sweet, much sweeter than figs!"

"The salted ostrich meat from the Bedouin people! If you have never tasted it, come and try it!... What is an ostrich?... Well, let me tell you, it is the largest bird I have ever seen, next to a horse It’s the same size, but it can’t fly, it can only run, and it can run faster than a horse in the desert!”

……

It should be said that as a famous trading city-state in Magna Graecia, Tarantum's products are richer and more diversified than Thurii, which can be seen in this temporary market.

The soldiers wandered around with great interest. They were not just shopping but not buying. As citizens and reserve citizens of Deolia, the land allocated again and again was enough for them to have enough food and clothing, and then sold the excess grains and livestock on the market. With the extra pocket money they received, and the sharing of spoils after each battle was won, their pockets were quite bulging.

Olivers was also on leave. He temporarily handed over the affairs to his adjutant and strolled around in the temporary market to relax.

At this time, he stood in front of a metal jewelry stall and picked up a palm-sized gold jewelry and looked at it carefully.

"This is a statue of the Egyptian god Horus. It comes from the hands of the famous sculptor of the Memphis Temple. Look, how exquisitely carved it is! Wear it and you will be blessed by Horus!" the businessman asked. He highly recommends it.

Olivers shook his head gently, put the things down, and said regretfully: "The things are good, but it's a pity that I believe in Hades."

"Hades won't blame him if he occasionally worships other gods. The areas they control are completely different..." The attitude of the Greeks towards gods is to be close but not infatuated. They believe in many gods. What kind of song should you sing? Go to the sea to worship Poseidon, fight to worship Ares, do business to Hermes, and do sports to worship Apollo... That's why businessmen persuade people like this.

But Olivers shook his head and left the stall.

The businessman was so angry that he yelled behind his back: "The Dionians are all stupid!"

In the past, Olivers would have turned around and gone back to have a good argument with the businessman, but now he felt that his status was different and he didn't bother to argue.

Going further, he saw several large tents set up in front of them. Standing in front of the tents were several beautiful women. A fat businessman shouted loudly: "The cheapest price! The most comfortable enjoyment! You only need to pay five Drachma, you can be happy with the most beautiful girl in Tarantum..."

Olivers frowned. Ever since the incident happened on the way to Persia, he has changed his past, and now whenever someone mentions the word "prostitute", he suddenly feels disgusted.

He turned around and walked back, but Timias took a fancy to him and rushed over to catch him, shouting urgently: "Don't go, seven drachmas and two girls, what do you think? I'm here But it’s a huge loss!”

Without saying a word, Olivers waved his left hand hard, and Timias took a few steps back and sat on the ground.

The theater owner of Tarantum worked hard for a long time, but failed to make a deal. He finally got angry, stood up and cursed: "Damn Dionians! A bunch of country bumpkins! Don't know how to enjoy happiness! What military law regulations! I have never heard of them in the Tarantum army. It is just a bad thing that your low-born consul came up with to rule you conveniently! He wants you to have no freedom, no democracy, and obey him. His orders! If you don’t know how to resist, you are only worthy of being ruled by a dictator and obeying his orders like slaves!..."

Olivers listened, furious, and strode over.

When the other soldiers on the side heard these words, they were all indignant: This fat man not only insulted them, but also insulted their great commander!

In an instant, Timias was surrounded by water.

He looked at the angry faces in horror, and shouted in a sharp voice: "What do you want to do?! This is Tarantum! -"

Before he finished speaking, Olivers said: "Hit him!" He punched him first with his right fist, hitting him directly on the fat face...

The Tarantum people in the market heard screams from the crowd surrounded by Dionian soldiers, but no one dared to step forward to dissuade them.

"Woo! Woo! Woo!..." The bugle sounded at the right time.

"It's the assembly number!" the soldiers exclaimed.

All the soldiers in the temporary market put down what they were doing at almost the same time and quickly ran back to the military camp. In the blink of an eye, there was no longer a Dionian in the market.

The Dionian soldiers returned to the camp so fast, as if the previous excitement was just a dream, only the theater owner lying on the ground was still moaning...

When the camp gate opened again, what came out were heavily armed troops.They lined up to leave the camp from the east, north and south camp gates at the same time, thus speeding up the process of leaving the camp.

The merchants in Tarantum also looked relaxed when they saw the Dionia soldiers who were joking in the market before, but this casualness did not affect the orderliness of their marching and the speed of their actions.

The two legions left the military camp, and the camp was not unmanned.There is also a reserve team composed of some soldiers from the baggage camp and more than 1000 Dionian free people. As a supplement to the legion, they usually serve as guards and handymen in the baggage camp, and they also participate in battles at critical times.Therefore, the tasks of reserve soldiers are also complex and arduous, but countless free people compete to join them every time they go out, because it allows free people to accumulate merit and shorten the time to become reserve citizens.

In fact, a legion in Dionysia, in addition to seven brigades of soldiers responsible for combat, also has medical battalions, engineering battalions, supply battalions, and reconnaissance teams... Its real number is far more than 7000 people.If marching in Dionia, Davos will try his best to arrange a marching column. Although this column will extend the team very long, the flat and solid road system will speed up the march.However, the suburbs of Tarentum, the richest city-state in South Italy, are all covered with dirt roads. The effect is the same wherever you go, as long as you don't step on farmland.So, Davos simply divided the army into four columns, each with five columns, advancing in line with a wide front.

The road was dusty and noisy.

Many Tarantum people were watching on the side of the road. Facing Dionia's majestic military appearance, the Tarantum people had mixed emotions. However, in a time of crisis in the city-state, such a large number and appearance of reinforcements also gave panic to the people. They feel a sense of security.

It didn't take long for the Dionian army to arrive outside Tarantum.

When Umacas was notified, he was surprised by the rapid assembly of the Dionysian army, knowing that the citizen soldiers of Tarantum were still gathering in the square one after another.

Although Diomelas was also stimulated, he still retorted: "The Dionysian soldiers are in the military camp and can set off as soon as the trumpet is blown. Unlike us, we have to notify every city and every street. ..."

Umarchus had to drive out of the city, apologized to Davos, and asked the Dionysian army to wait outside the city. At the same time, he invited Davos to enter the city, drink some wine at his mansion, and rest for a while. After all, it was noon in early autumn, and the sun was still very hot.

Davos politely declined Uumakas's kindness. How could he leave his suffering men behind and enjoy the comfort alone.

Not long after, Triphias led a thousand Heracleian soldiers out of the city to join the Dionian army.

After a while, two thousand Metapontum soldiers led by Tudeples also arrived.

More than an hour later, the gates of Tarantum were opened again, and the noisy voices of people came out...

"Oh! Oh! Are you going to the battlefield or to the cemetery? It doesn't matter that everyone is crying like this! It's just a fight with the indigenous people!..." Olivers said to the Tarentum people because of what happened in the morning I didn't like him very much, and I kept making sarcastic remarks when I saw this messy farewell scene.

　Thanks to Little Carpenter Mujie for the tip!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)