ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 687 Dionia vs. Rome ([-])

In the early morning of the second day, in the Roman military camp outside the city of Setia, Camillus got up early as usual, took the sackcloth soaked in water from Nupu, washed his face, and ate A little breakfast.

At this time, his son Lucius, who was also the cavalry commander of this army (according to the Roman military system, the cavalry commander was the second-in-command of an army) also entered the big tent as usual to greet his father.

"Is there anything unusual?" Camillus asked immediately.

"It's still the same as before, nothing has changed." Lucius replied casually.

Seeing his son's accustomed expression, Camillus immediately reminded him cautiously: "Don't take it lightly! The Senate has informed us that they rejected the Dionian's proposal a few days ago and will continue to fight against each other. The Volscian war continues to the end. Therefore, the Dionians are likely to join this war. We must be vigilant and always be prepared, because Dionian reinforcements may appear at any time!"

"The Senate rejected the unreasonable and unreasonable demands of the Dionians. It is correct. How could the victory and occupied land that the Roman citizens exchanged for their blood and lives be given up in vain because of the threat of the Dionians!" Lu Chius said angrily. He was already over 40 years old, but he still retained full blood and did not inherit his father's gentle and steady character.

"That being said, this undoubtedly adds a lot of potential difficulties to this war!" Camillus said with a slight worry.

Lucius immediately said confidently: "Father, in the past ten years, our Roman land has not only greatly expanded, but the number of our citizens has also increased rapidly. At the beginning of this year, the Senate counted the number of citizens of appropriate age in the city of Rome and the colonies it established. The number of soldiers is enough to reach 400 squadrons, not including those Latin allies, not to mention that we have the help of the Carthaginians. It’s okay if the Dionians don’t come. If they dare to come, they will know that we are in Rome The army is awesome!"

Camillus didn't want to have a useless argument with his son. He waved his hand and urged: "You should send the cavalry to perform reconnaissance missions."

After Lucius left, Camillus, with the help of his slaves, put on his armor and began his daily routine of inspecting the military camp.Wherever he went, the soldiers called his name with respect.

But in fact "Camillus" was not his real name, but the nickname he used as a child, which came from the name of a Roman god in the temple.But when he won many battles on the battlefield, his nickname spread, because many citizens believed that he was as brave and invincible as if possessed by a god in battle.He then adopted "Camillus" as his family name and regarded it as an honor (he was the first Roman to use a nickname as his family name).

He often talked cordially with the soldiers in the camp, just like an elder caring for young people, and understood their mental state. In addition to encouraging them, he sometimes helped them solve some small difficulties, so the soldiers loved him very much, and he I also enjoy this kind of military camp atmosphere.To be honest, he was tired of the complicated political environment of the Senate and was afraid of seeing fierce conflicts between civilians and nobles. He could only relax in the military camp.

Camillus had just finished inspecting the military camp when the commander of another legion, the political officer Phrius, walked into the big tent.

According to the regulations of the Roman Senate: When two or more military and political officers command the army, they will take turns commanding the army.

But today it was Camillus's turn, and Frius could stay in his tent without worrying about anything.But out of respect for Camillus and his responsibility to the army, he still came to the big tent as a lieutenant to listen to Camillus's new military deployment.

When Frius saw Camillus walking into the big tent with a peaceful expression, he immediately understood that Camillus's strategy today was still to stick to the camp, but he still asked, "Camilus, are we not going to attack today?" Sethia?"

Camillus comforted him and said: "According to the news brought by the messenger, Quintus and his army will launch a strong attack on the city of Satnicum today. If they can successfully capture it, in two or three days, they will You can join us, and then we can join forces to attack the Volscians, so don’t worry now.”

How could Frius not be anxious? Roman citizens have always been very eager for military exploits and honors, and Friius was even more so because he urgently needed more military exploits to wash away the shame of his previous defeat. Luce's tolerance made him a little more cautious, and at the same time respected Camillus more.

"If only the Volscians could come out of the city to fight us! Even if they were reinforced by the Olonchi and Sidisnians and were not numerically weaker than us, they would not be able to defeat Camillus, your invention Third-line tactics. And our soldiers who have received assistance from the Carthaginians are far stronger than their opponents in terms of weapons and armor. If we can defeat the last strength of the Volscians in one fell swoop during the battle, we can completely defeat the Volscians. Rush to the mountains and occupy this fertile land!" Frius said with confidence.

After hearing this, Camillus said seriously: "It's a pity that the Volscians have become cautious now. They are all hiding in the city for defense. Even the small city of Setia has thousands of Volscian warriors. We It is impossible to capture it in a short time. Once we attack the city with all our strength, we will have to worry about the flanking attack from the army in Pollevnum..."

"If only we had the ballista presented by the Carthaginians!" Frius sighed regretfully, and suddenly he thought of something, and suggested loudly: "Camilus, why don't we have the ballista as you did last time?" As you did, abandon the siege of Setia and attack the city of Selshe!"

Camillus was stunned for a moment, thought for a moment, and then shook his head: "After a raid like that, the Volscians are probably on guard. Once we are unable to capture Selshere in a short time, we will rush after hearing the news." The enemies that come will surround us. By then we will be exhausted and extremely tired, and we won’t have enough time to build a camp. I’m afraid..."

Camillus looked at Frius and once again seriously consoled him: "We have already gained an absolute advantage. There is no need to take risks. Just wait patiently for two or three days. Then I will let you personally lead the army to attack Selshe." !”

Frius used his right hand to force his thigh, and then smiled helplessly: "Okay, Camillus, I listen to you, we will just wait for Quintus and the others to arrive, and hope they can come faster! "

After hearing what Camillus said, Phylius no longer wanted to stay in the big tent. He stood up to leave. Just as he was about to leave the tent, a man suddenly broke in, staggering and almost falling.

"Lucius!" Frius looked at the team officer half-kneeling on the ground, covered in dust, in surprise.

"What happened?" Camillus, who had always had a calm demeanor, was also surprised when he saw his son's miserable state.

Lucius stood up unsteadily with his hands on the ground.

Frius hurriedly brought a wooden chair and asked him to sit down.

Lucius nodded and expressed his thanks, and then gasped and said: "Father, I led two centurions of cavalry...bypassed Pollevnham, preparing to continue southward...to reconnoiter the area around Selcher. The situation of the Erxi people...who knew that a group of cavalry in black uniforms suddenly appeared from the south, and they...they immediately launched an attack on us——"

When Lucius said this, a trace of fear flashed in his eyes: "They are very good at riding, and they are more numerous than us, and they are good at throwing javelins on horseback. The cavalry...cover me, I'm afraid I won't be able to see you..."

After Lucius finished speaking, the thrilling scene of being closely chased by the enemy, with javelins whizzing by from time to time, was still in his mind. The screams of his cavalry were always in his ears... His face did not have much color in the first place. Becoming paler.

Black cavalry? !Frius's heart moved, and he looked at Camillus nervously.

Camillos also looked solemn at this moment, and he said in an uncertain voice: "It seems that the Dionians are here?!"

Lucius ran away all the way before and had no time to think about it. When he heard what his father said, he was surprised: "Is he a Dionian?!"

"I don't remember that there are cavalry in black uniforms among the forces around here, and there are so many as you said. I only heard from the Carthaginians that the Dionysian army, whether infantry or cavalry, was wearing Wearing uniform black." Camillus looked at his son and said in a deep voice: "So they can only be the Dionians you threatened to defeat before."

Lucius lowered his head in shame.

"How much have we lost in cavalry?" Camillus asked again.

"Because...because they retreated in a scattered manner, some cavalry have not returned yet, so casualties cannot be counted for the time being..." Lucius said softly.

Seeing Camillus' uneasy expression, Frius said anxiously: "I'm afraid the cavalry of the legion I led was also attacked by the Dionysian cavalry!"

After Frius' reminder, Camillus was no longer in the mood to criticize Lucius.

There were ten cavalry squadrons in the Roman army led by Camillus and the others. Every morning, the two military and political officers sent out most of the cavalry. The Volsci's cavalry was not strong, and they had suffered disastrous defeats before, so Camillus was not worried about the safety of the scattered cavalry, but now he became nervous and immediately issued an order: "Lucius, Immediately send scouts to the north, and urgently notify the infantry squadron and cavalry squadron who are collecting food in the village of Wolsey to return to the barracks immediately! And remind them to be careful of the attack of Dionia cavalry on the way back!"

(End of this chapter)