ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 78 Before the Battle
"Please tell me!" Burkos said hurriedly.

"I am on the left, Tarantum is on the right, and Thurii is in the middle. This order remains unchanged. However, send all the two thousand mercenaries and two hundred cavalry from Adriancus, Adras, and Sesta. Let me take command of the left wing. I will lead more than 4000 infantry and [-] cavalry to defeat the enemy's right wing in the shortest possible time. I will cooperate with the center to flank the enemy's center. It is only a matter of time to win the entire battle!" Diver! Si said with confidence.

"Are you sure that after giving these two thousand mercenaries and two hundred cavalry to your command, we can defeat the enemy in the shortest time?!" Burkos asked with a hint of excitement.

"There are too many unexpected factors in the battle. I can't be sure before the battle is officially started. However, in my opinion, this plan has a much higher probability of winning than the plan you gave me!" Davos tried his best to persuade. Burkos.

Burkos was silent for a long time and whispered: "But in the hearts of the generals, their plan is more likely to succeed... In any case, I will report your suggestion to General Ferris, and the General Executive Committee will Decide whether to adopt it.”

Davos understood the meaning behind Burkos's words, and a trace of disappointment appeared on his face.But he quickly cheered up: "If you can't give me two thousand mercenaries, you can always give me two hundred cavalry."

Burkos shook his head: "The two wings of the cavalry division are military traditions. You should know better than me. What's more, one hundred cavalry among them are from Tarantum. They can't abandon their compatriots and run away without helping. Your left wing.”

Davos had no choice but to think for a moment and said, "What is the combat effectiveness of Tarantum's reinforcements?"

"It should be very strong. Archita once led them to defeat the Messapians twice. The Messapians are a race as strong as the Lucanians." Burkos said with certainty.

"Achita..." Daves read the name and said resolutely: "In this case, let's send these two hundred cavalry to the right wing."

"Are you sure you're not saying something out of anger?" Burkes asked in surprise.

"For me, war is the most important event that determines the rise and fall of a city-state and the fate of countless people! Therefore, for this war that is not closely related to me, I devoted myself wholeheartedly to it without any selfishness or carelessness. ! However, it is hard to say about the generals of Thurii. Have they ever understood the composition of the Lucanian coalition forces in detail? Have they trained all the troops in advance so that they can cooperate with each other in battle?… …”

Davos's dissatisfaction was finally vented through questioning one by one, which made Burkos ashamed. He felt that Davos had really devoted himself to this battle. He tried to speak but stopped several times, and finally said resolutely: "Davos Si, don’t worry. After I go to Dracos’ camp, I will rush back immediately, convey your suggestion to Ferris, and implore him to seriously consider it!”

After Burkos left, Davos immediately called Asistes: "How are the brothers practicing using rope hooks to climb the stone wall?"

"They can already climb the stone wall easily. The rope hook you designed, leader, is really a good tool for climbing!"

"That's great!" Davos finally had a smile on his face: "You go to the market immediately and tell Mariji that I want to order another twenty sets of rope hooks, and ask him to urge the blacksmith shop as soon as possible within two days. Do it well!"

"Okay, I'll go right away."

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One morning at the end of April in [-] BC, just like every other day, the weather was warm, the sun was shining, and flowers were blooming all over the mountains and fields. It was a good day for an outing.

However, on the Xubari Plain, there were scouts and cavalry everywhere, and the air was filled with a tense atmosphere of killing.

The mercenary leader's tent was full of team officers. Davos looked around at everyone: among them were old comrades who had been following him, such as Hilos, Antonios, Capps and others; there were also acquaintances who had just joined, such as Hero Nimus, Agarcia, et al.Now everyone has serious expressions on their faces, as if facing a formidable enemy, waiting for his instructions.

"The Lucanian army has marched towards Thurii. Someone from Thurii has informed us that we should immediately leave the camp to join them. Brothers!" Daves said with confidence, smiling: "Let these ignorant and arrogant people It’s time for the Thurii people to see the real power of our Greek expeditionary force soldiers!”

"Hoo!!!" The team officers' fighting spirit was high.

"According to the previous deployment, the fifth heavy infantry company led by Xiros and the third light infantry company led by Alpous (this is composed of mercenaries who joined the Byzantine period, including archers and slingers, a total of more than 200 people) Stay in the camp to prevent Amendolara's enemies from sneaking attacks. The rest of the troops will leave the camp in order."

"Yes!!!"

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

When Turui's army left the city, they saw Daves' mercenaries waiting outside the city early.

"This is the Greek Expeditionary Force?! I think it's an exaggeration. You see, these soldiers are either squatting or lying down, with their spears and shields thrown aside. They don't look like soldiers at all!" Kunogorata looked like he was overjoyed. It’s sad to see that you bought a low-quality product at a high price.

At this moment, Ferris is worried about the upcoming war, and has no intention of arguing with Kunogorata about this common military knowledge.

At this time, a young man next to him spoke without hesitation: "The messenger we sent out to inform them must have just come back, and this army is already standing here waiting for us. This shows the mobilization ability and execution ability of this army." Their ability to command is very strong! As for lying down and squatting, that is to conserve their energy before the war begins. It also shows that they are experienced and can be so relaxed when the war is coming! I now somewhat believe that they have the ability to hold up the left wing on their own. !”

Kunogorata snorted softly. After all, this young man was Turui's distinguished guest, so he had no choice but to keep silent.

At this time, Davos, led by Bulcos, galloped towards them.

"General Ferris, mercenary leader Davos salutes you!" Davos saluted solemnly on his horse.

"Although I heard Burkos say it before, your youth still surprises me! Young leader, thank you for your help to Tulii, let us fight the enemy side by side today!" Ferris also responded with a solemn salute.

"As you wish, General Ferris." Davos agreed, and then turned to Kunogo Lata. Because of Burkos's guidance, he could of course call out the name accurately: "Salute to you, Kunogora General Lata!”

"Chief Davos, your proposal is very bold. To be honest, I am very excited. However, after discussion, the generals thought it was too risky, so they did not adopt it. I hope you don't mind!" Kunogolata apologized slightly, He specifically explained this, and even drove his horse forward and patted Daves on the shoulder to show his closeness.

"Pre-war discussions are for brainstorming. Once a decision is made, orders must be resolutely executed. Don't worry, I am a soldier, and it is my natural duty to execute orders!"

"What a saying, 'It is the natural duty of soldiers to execute orders'!" The young man praised loudly and took the initiative to introduce himself: "Hello, Chief Davos! I am Archita from Tarantum. I have always heard about you. The legendary story of the Greek Expeditionary Force, seeing you today did not disappoint me!”

Davos looked intently. Although the young man in front of him was wearing a military uniform, he looked gentle and elegant. His bright eyes with a sincere smile were slightly profound: "General Archita (Tarantum is the dual ruler) In the official system, there is no position of 'general', here is just an honorific title), Tarantum's mathematical and military genius, it is my honor to fight alongside you!"

Davos returned the gift in a friendly manner and continued: "I think there is an inevitable connection between mathematics and military affairs. Each soldier in the array is a point, and countless points form straight lines and squares. The basic conditions for victory are how Let every point play its full role..."

"You are absolutely right!" Archita became happy and asked kindly: "Does Leader Davos also study mathematics?"

"I don't know much about mathematics, but I have full respect for the Pythagoreans!" Davos said seriously.

Seeing his sincerity, Achita immediately liked him and was ready to speak again.

Ferres interrupted: "The leaders of other mercenaries are arriving. Now let us clarify our respective responsibilities and unify the orders."

Note: Archyta, the second historical figure who appears in this novel, but compared with Xenophon, there are too few historical records about him, who said that his scope of activities has always been in Great Greece.Maybe readers who major in mathematics are familiar with him. He has great original ideas in the fields of classical mathematics and physics. Archimedes used pulleys to make machinery and defeated Rome that besieged Syracuse, and the pulleys were the first made by Archieta. Archimedes is the master of research.

(End of this chapter)