ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 57 Davos’ Army
Davos smiled: "My answer is to accept Tuliyi's employment."

Although he was somewhat prepared, Burkos couldn't help but look surprised.

"Don't be too happy! This is just my personal opinion. I still have to convince my officers and soldiers. Many of them are tired of the war after more than a year of fighting in Persia and are eager to Go back to your hometown." Davers poured cold water on him first, and then said: "I will try my best to convince them. Of course, the higher your employment salary, the more impressed they will be."

"Two Dalek gold coins per soldier per month!" Burkos said decisively.

Davos thought about it in his mind and asked, "How many people do you need?"

"Of course, the more, the better!" Burkos blurted out without thinking.

"Oh, what a big statement! If I take 5000 people, the monthly salary and supplies will be a huge number. Can Turiyi afford it?"

"I said that Thurii is one of the most prosperous city-states in Magna Graecia! Even if you bring 1 people, Thurii can easily support you for a year on its own! Burkos said confidently.

"Well, I hope so." Davos expressed cautious optimism, and then asked: "Also, how do we get to Thurii? How many ships do you have?"

"I've already negotiated with the ship owners of Byzantium. At that time, as long as you pay, you can have as many ships as you want!"

"So, will the Spartans here allow us to leave for Thurii?" At this time, Davos asked the question he was most concerned about.

"I have obtained the authorization from the Spartan Senate. At the same time, the Byzantine governor Cleander is worried about your existence. He is happy to see you leave." Burkos answered confidently.

So, Davos agreed simply: "It seems that you have made arrangements. Then, I will tell you tomorrow morning the number of soldiers I want to lead, and negotiate a more detailed employment agreement with you."

"Okay, I'll come back tomorrow morning. I hope to get good news from you!" Although there were some twists and turns at the beginning, the negotiation was finally concluded, and Burkos left in a happy mood.

"My dear, are you really going to Thurii?" Christoya, who had been listening quietly, said.

"Yes!" Davos turned around, his eyes flashing with excitement: "Krystoya, maybe this is a good opportunity! An opportunity for us to change from fish in the water to fishermen casting nets. !”

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

Matonis sat on the ground, excited and curious: You must know that since he became the commander of the squadron, he has never participated in the discussion and formulation of any decision in the military camp. This time, the herald Asistes urgently informed Are these team leaders attending the meeting to make any important decisions?

He looked around and saw Olivers joking loudly with others not far away. This boy has now become the squad leader and has the same status as him. Every time he sees him, he feels unhappy, so he shouts: " Olivers, there is a military meeting here, not your tent, please keep quiet!”

Olivers turned back and smiled: "It turns out to be the brave Matonis. Have your two soldiers who violated military regulations and robbed Byzantine citizens been punished?"

When Matonis heard this, although he was angry, he did not dare to shout anymore.

Since entering Armenia, Daves has become an important leader of the mercenaries. His military talents have not only been recognized by the leaders and soldiers, but also conquered the hearts of his subordinate soldiers, so he began to gradually reorganize and reform the team. .

At that time, during the Armenian journey, mercenaries continued to have small conflicts with local indigenous people. Many people, including team officers, were killed or injured. Moreover, Armenia and later Fasia, Taukia and other places were mostly mountainous, making it difficult for large troops to deploy.So based on the actual situation, Davers first merged the army of fourteen hundred men into seven companies of 200 men. Each company had four detachments of 50 men. This not only facilitated command, but also made it easier to fight in mountainous areas. More flexible and changeable: because one detachment has enough combat power to repel small groups of enemies, and a regiment has the ability to undertake independent combat missions, because it has four detachments, and two detachments can be used for frontal combat. Another detachment circles the flank, another detachment is used in preparation, etc.

After this merger and reorganization, the combat effectiveness of his team has been greatly improved. Some soldiers even said proudly privately: "Our Davos is not only the favored one of Hades, but also inspired by Athena!"

Then, Davos took advantage of the death and injury of team officers to promote capable confidants. For example, Hilos has been promoted to company captain, and Matonis, Olivers, Geoglis, etc. have all become captains one after another. He became the squad leader, giving him a firmer grip on his troops.

Then, he began to implement the second step of the reform plan and formulated a "Military Law" to strictly restrain soldiers.For free and undisciplined mercenaries, this is simply life-threatening.But the situation at that time was special. A considerable part of the conflicts with local indigenous people were caused by soldiers wantonly stealing and robbing property, so regulating military discipline was the best way to reduce conflicts.However, Davos not only improved military discipline, but also made some regulations on military aspects such as marching, camping, and reconnaissance: For example, Davos was previously surprised by how easy it was for mercenaries to build camps, and sometimes there was no protection at all, so he It is stipulated that when camping, the camp must dig trenches, set up deer camps, build earthen forts, etc.

At first, the soldiers were unwilling to do it. They were already very tired after marching and fighting. We still have to do such hard work. Are we tired?However, after two mountain people attacked the camp at night, the soldiers in other camps were crushed, with casualties and property losses. Only Davos's troops were safe under the protection of the trench walls, and the soldiers began to accept this from their hearts. One provision.Of course, Davos only made some simple regulations in various aspects, and he did not dare to take it too seriously. For example, running away during combat would have been a serious crime in beheading in previous lives, but if he wanted to do this, the people in the military camp would The soldiers had to rebel, so he only used some lighter punishments: beatings with rods (but he didn’t dare to beat too many), fasting, etc. For the Greeks who valued honor, being beaten with their pants off in front of their comrades Buttocks are a very embarrassing thing. Unless there are special circumstances, they will try their best to abide by the rules.

Of course, there are many soldiers who cannot stand the discipline and run to other military camps. Coupled with the dead and wounded soldiers, the number of soldiers in Davos Military Camp should be greatly reduced.You know, when the entire Greek mercenary army returned to Byzantium, it was reduced from the original 3000 people (purely soldiers) to 9000 people (already half the number in history), and Davos played a big role in it. ).However, the number of soldiers under his command is still about the same as when he took over, about [-] soldiers.

There are four reasons why the number of soldiers has not decreased: [-]. Davos manages the army as fairly and impartially as possible. No matter the team officers or ordinary soldiers, they are treated equally and there is nothing special.The property harvested from each battle and robbery was distributed by Mariji to the soldiers according to merit, leaving him empty-handed; secondly, his troops had the strongest combat effectiveness and the fewest casualties, especially after the military reform.Of course, it is a strong reliance for soldiers who hope to return home alive; third, the medical camp he established cured a large number of injured soldiers, and half of the soldiers chose to stay. Among them, Christoya's intentional guidance A big role; [-]. Davos’s personal charm. "The God's Favorite", a military genius, and a mysterious man, he was amiable to the soldiers and even used his own horses to carry the wounded many times... The soldiers were happy to accept his command and affectionately called him "ours". Davos".

Now, the mercenaries led by Davos have gradually adapted to these military laws that Davos seems to be relatively simple but are already very strict for these soldiers in more than half a year of campaign and under special circumstances.Therefore, Matonis knew that his soldiers violated the regulations that Daves had formulated before coming to Byzantium and would definitely be punished. This was a bit unacceptable for him who was protecting his shortcomings.At this moment, he had no time to think too much, because Davos had already opened the tent and took Mariji into the venue.

Note: The annihilation of more than 1 citizen soldiers in Turii by the Lucanians actually happened in history, but only about ten years later (the specific time is unknown). The reasons for this will be mentioned later.

(End of this chapter)