ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 844 Riots on Capitoline Hill

Why is this so?The reason is simple. The Romans, headed by Roman senators and nobles, retreated to the Capitoline Mountains. Although the Dionysian army only blocked it and did not attack it, they often sent people to shout at the mountain, such as "You are on an expedition." The army of Hernici attacked the Roman city and was repulsed...Caserela and Veai have been captured...The Roman army led by Camillus was defeated in Ostia..."

At the beginning, only a few Latins were shouting, but later many Roman civilians familiar to the people on the mountain joined the team. They would add some other content to the shouts: for example, "We have already lived in the original place." A comfortable house that belongs to you... We own the land that originally belonged to you..."

Although the senators have repeatedly avoided it: "These are all lies, a trick of the Dionians, trying to create chaos among us!..."

However, the people on the mountain listened to the shouting at the bottom of the mountain, and during the day they could see many people in Roman civilian attire in the square having seemingly cordial conversations with the Dionian soldiers in black helmets and black armor, and then each of them held their big bags in their arms. Leaving with small packages (actually Roman civilians applying to become Dionian citizens and going to the square to receive rationed food every day) will inevitably make you suspicious.Add to that the predicament on the mountain and a bit of chaos ensued.

Therefore, the senators finally ordered to block off the cliff where the square could be clearly seen.

In the dimly lit apse of the Temple of Jupiter, hundreds of Roman senators who had just watched the triumphal ceremony in the square from the top of the cliff were sitting around with solemn expressions, and the atmosphere seemed a bit depressing.

"Cough! Cough!..." Potitus' cough sounded very clear in this silent space, attracting everyone's attention to him, but he really only coughed because of his weakness, and didn't think about it. The desire to speak first.

After a while, Ambustus, the administrator of the Capitoline Mountains who was temporarily appointed by the Senate, broke the silence: "Dear elders and newcomers, I want to remind you that although the public cannot see the square today, situation, but they can hear the shouting in the square. I think this will cause a lot of trouble to them, so I hope everyone will take care of their families and diners when they go back! Scipio, you should also be vigilant. Let the soldiers pay attention to maintaining order!"

"I have sent more soldiers, don't worry." Scipio responded.

"Hey!" Apuleius suddenly shouted. Seeing everyone looking at him in astonishment, he stood up and shouted loudly: "It's been almost ten days since we went up the mountain! Ten days! Why haven't we seen anything yet? Our army is coming to attack the city?! Is it true that Camillus’ army has been defeated by the Ionians, as the Ionians said?!”

When many elders heard this, they shook their bodies unconsciously. This was the issue they were most afraid of mentioning.

"Ahem... There are 7 troops outside the city, with Camillus as the commander-in-chief, and with the support of so many Latin allies and colonial cities, how could they suffer a disastrous defeat!" Potitus tried to comfort everyone.

Since going up the mountain, in order to unite against the enemy, Apuleius was warned by Marugine Ensis, "Don't criticize the dictator indiscriminately in times of crisis and cause unnecessary panic." But the long-term pressure made Apuleius Liuus finally broke out again: "If Camillus's army did not fail, then where are they?! Could they have escaped?!"

Marugine Ensis immediately shouted: "Don't talk nonsense! Don't believe the rumors said by the enemy that 'our army was defeated in Ostia', but this rumor also told us a message, Kami Luce may be leading an army to attack Ostia!”

Of course, the senators with rich war experience, led by Potitus, Marugine Ensis, and Scipio, had made reasonable speculations about the reason why Camillus had not attacked the city for a long time. Many senators before All accepted this explanation.

But at this moment, Apuleius still refused to give up: "Why attack Ostia instead of attacking Rome directly?! Could it be that Camillus is confused and thinks that we Romans all live in Ostia? That small town?!”

"The city of Rome has high walls and heavy guards. It is not as easy to attack as Ostia. Camillus probably wanted to attack Ostia to consume the strength of the Dionians and block them inland. , force them to leave the city for a decisive battle, or choose a truce...Apulius, I explained these words once yesterday, don't let me say it again!" Marugine Ensis looked directly at Apu with sharp eyes Leos, the man who was supporting him with one hand, suddenly became a little disobedient, which made his eyes look angry.

Apuleius was so wise that he stopped talking.

However, someone else raised doubts: "Camillus's attack on Ostia may be the right strategy, but we have all heard what the enemy said, 'Vai and Caislera have been captured by them.' Yesterday they He also said, 'Survotum and Xhosa also surrendered to them, and even our allies the Etruscans formed an alliance with them'... If these are true, even if Osti is recaptured Ya, I’m afraid it won’t have any effect.”

These words immediately caused whispers among the senators.

Marugineensis saw that the person speaking was Lucritius. Although he secretly hated this old guy for not opening and lifting the pot, he brought a topic that everyone was very worried about to the surface, right? Confused? !But he was still wary of an old man who had been in the Senate for decades, so he said perfunctorily: "I said these are all lies from the enemy. There is no need for us to believe it."

"Why not send someone to sneak down the mountain to investigate? Just like Pantius did back then! If we can confirm that these are lies from the enemy, we and the people will be relieved."

Maru Geneensis finally couldn't bear it anymore and said angrily: "Lucritius, apart from worshiping Jupiter every day, you are sleeping. Have you ever seriously attended meetings or participated in any affairs? !Scipio told him, what have we done?!”

"Up to now, we have sent five warriors to sneak down the mountain to inquire about the news, but they have not returned yet." Scipio said solemnly: "When the Celts occupied Rome, their discipline was lax. The blockade of Pitorin Mountain is not tight, and the Dionians...you can see from the camp they built under the mountain that it is very difficult to sneak in."

"Well, as the dictator of Rome, Camillus will definitely do his best to repel the Dionians, just like he defeated the Celts back then!" In order to avoid Lucritius being too embarrassed, When the quarrel started, Ambustus interjected: "Let's take care of important issues related to us first! Our food is only enough for 20 days. If Camillus fails to recapture the city of Rome within 20 days, we will About to starve.

There is also drinking water. Although there is a small spring on the mountainside not far from the Temple of Juno, it is not enough for more than 5000 people. Fortunately, the rainy season has just passed, and there have been several rains in the past ten days. There is a lot of water stored in the temple, but if it doesn't rain for five or six days in a row, it will be very difficult for everyone to drink enough water...

There is also disease. We hurried up the mountain without bringing many herbs. The people were crowded on the mountain. They couldn't eat well, sleep well, and they were in a bad mood. Some people got sick and couldn't get good treatment. , can never be cured..."

Ambustus' words made the expressions of the elders even more worried.

"Alas!" Potitus sighed: "I think when the Celts invaded, we had only a few hundred people when we retreated here, but now the number of people is more than ten times that of that time, and the natural consumption of materials is also Much more..."

"Are we going to drive too many people off Capitol Hill?!" one of the senators asked anxiously.

These words caused an uproar in the temple.

Ambustus hurriedly said: "We don't need to do this! What I mean is... we must strictly control the consumption of food and water, and prevent the occurrence of epidemics, so that we can stay on the mountain for a longer time. Go to Camillus and lead the soldiers to repel the Dionians and recapture Rome..."

Before the senators began to discuss, a man stood up in the crowd and said loudly: "Dear elders and newcomers, I have doubts about whether Camillus can recapture Rome! The triumphal ceremony of the Dionians just now You have all seen that so many Roman civilians have joined their triumphal celebrations. What does this mean?! The Roman civilians are betraying us and turning to support the invading Dionians! With the support of those civilians, Dai The Oonians would have more soldiers to defend Rome, and Camillus could still lead the army-"

"Nonsense!" Marugine Ensis shouted and glared at the person who spoke: "Apulius, are you crazy?!"

Apuleius also risked his life at this moment: "I am not crazy, my mind is very clear, and you are also very clear, but they are all escaping! When Rome fell, so many people were trapped in the city. In the first few days We can still see and hear the sounds of fighting in the city on the mountain, and there are even fires and thick smoke... But now! We haven't heard the sound of fighting for how many days. Instead, the square is getting more and more lively. I'm afraid The Dionians have completely—"

"Guard! Guard! Take him down and lock him up!" Marugine Ensis shouted angrily.

Scipio hesitated for a moment. After all, this violated the rules of the Senate, but seeing Portitus, Ambustus, Lucritius and many other venerable elders nodding, he immediately called Guards.

　Thanks to the hero of Elfasil, Feiyu Zhang for the reward!Your support is my motivation to write! !
　　
　
(End of this chapter)