ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 234: The Plan for Grumentum and the Battle of Silitium

Protesilaus shrugged and said nothing.

"The technology of draining and filling swamps, depressions, and tidal flats is already a mature technology that is often used by Greeks. The Turii people also used to build embankments on the upper reaches of the Kosseni River during the rainy season. Technically, we can do what Mr. Ras proposed." Kunogolata asked seriously: "But to fill in such a large swamp area into farmland requires a lot of manpower and materials. What do you think? Have you considered it?"

"Didn't you just say that there will be a large influx of free people in Dionia in the future! We can recruit a large number of them to do this project. For these free people who have made great contributions to the Dionia Alliance, we will not only Shorten their citizenship inspection period as an incentive, and consider giving them 'allotments' in the swamp area to encourage them to work harder! Also... considering the mosquito breeding there, I also hope that Helps can Send doctors to participate to help the sick at any time and prevent the occurrence of epidemics..." Scombbras said incessantly. Although he had not served as a city-state governor before, he had devoted himself to Cree. In the role of Misa Administrator, he uses his long life experience to think carefully about problems, so he is more thoughtful.

"Of course there is no problem with this." Helps said immediately: "We can help at any time!"

"Mersis, don't worry about the money!" Scombbras turned to the financial officer and said loudly: "As long as the swamp area is successfully transformed, how much farmland can be provided! How much land tax can you collect! And these It happens every year! Use your brain to think about it!"

Melcis raised his hand helplessly: "Old man, don't think about it, I agree."

"Does anyone else have any objections?" Speaker Corneros asked.

Everyone, including Davos, shook their heads. Scombbras took care of this matter alone.

The next person to stand up was Vespa: "My lords, I received news from Niutum that Potentia's army is approaching Grumentum. Xinsinaga may be worried about being forced by him." The original tribes of Grumentum that were annexed did not go out of the city to fight. He held on to the city of Grumentum and at the same time sent people to Neutum, hoping to form an alliance with us to fight against Potentia."

"Cincinnago is a good idea." Davers smiled lightly: "What do you think about this?"

Weisba hesitated for a moment, and then said: "I don't think it is necessary to form an alliance with Picosis. Previous events have proven that Cincinnag is completely untrustworthy. Moreover, what happened between Potentia and Picosis In the battle, no matter who wins, the strength of both parties will be weakened, which is very beneficial to us in Dionia!"

Davers was very happy to see that Weisba could think like this, which meant that he was used to the life of the alliance and would consider the interests of the alliance, so he said: "Master Weisba is right! Of course, we I won’t rebuff him forcefully, just say that we in Dionia have just gone through a war and need to rest and cannot start another war.”

Vespa understood.

At this time, Hemon said: "Not only is Cincinnag showing favor to us, the tribes of the former Grumentum also quietly sent people to contact us, hoping to get our help and drive away the Pixis. and the Potentians.”

"Then what are they prepared to pay?" Davos asked.

"They said, 'We are willing to make Grumentum a subsidiary of our Dionia.'" Hermon answered.

"This condition seems to be considered." Protesilaus was a little moved, and he answered.

Davos looked at him, then at the other elders who expressed his approval, and then sneered: "These tribes once betrayed their great leader Lusau, and later clashed with the Pixis. The Grumentum people Just with this sentence, we, Dionia, can go to war with the two major forces of Lucaria - Potentia and Pixis. Is this possible? Now Krimisa, Asprostus Mu needs a large number of citizens and reserve citizens to settle. Dionia's army will involve a series of issues such as rearrangement and division for a period of time, and it will not be able to send enough soldiers to Lucalia. Besides, Bagule, how effective do you think our heavy infantry can be in the Lucalia Mountains?"

Bagule thought for a while and said frankly: "We were able to capture Niutum because of a sneak attack and did not fight the Lucanian warriors head-on. However, the heavy infantry has to fight the Lucanian warriors in the mountains. In a battle, it may be difficult to gain the upper hand. Just walking on the mountain road can consume a lot of energy of the soldiers, not to mention that we are not familiar with the terrain. On the narrow mountain road, the enemy does not need to fight us head-on. He only needs to push a few rocks. It would cause us heavy losses, not to mention the difficulty in transporting food..."

"Bagul is right! When we were going to Armenia through the mountains in Persia, we often encountered similar difficulties. No matter how brave the heavy infantry was, it couldn't play a role at all." Alexis said immediately, and then hired The military elders also agreed with Bagule's words.

The most experienced senators were not optimistic about fighting in the mountains, which made Protesilaus a little ashamed. He was able to recognize his mistakes and said embarrassedly: "It seems that the successive victories some time ago have made me a little bit embarrassed. So proud.”

The elders who agreed to accept the terms of the Grumentum tribe also lowered their heads in shame.In the past, war was a painful thing in Thurii and Amendolara.However, since the introduction of Davos, it seems that victory is easy, giving everyone the illusion that the Dionian soldiers are invincible!This makes everyone start to feel a little arrogant.

But Davos did not lose caution. He clearly remembered that when Rome began to conquer mainland Italy in history, the biggest obstacle it encountered was not the Greek city-states on the coast, nor the tough Gallic tribes in the north, but the Samoan in the central mountains. When the Roman heavy infantry who dominated the plains attacked the Samnites in the mountains, they could hardly move. The fighting lasted for decades, during which the Romans suffered several disastrous defeats and were forced to humiliate themselves and sue for peace.Davos certainly didn’t want to make the same mistake as Rome.

"Aren't we going to attack Lucania? Lord Consul, don't forget that you promised us to occupy Lucania!" At this time, a man stood up and questioned Davos.

It's Polluxes!Kunogorata, Bulkos and others all frowned, and Capos and Amyntas were even more hesitant. However, Davos looked calm: "We will not attack the Lucania region. Indicates that we are about to give it up. When Potentia and Pixis went to war, the people most affected were undoubtedly the small tribes scattered on the land near Grumentum and the ordinary people in the city. Hermon told me that he fled to The Lucanians of Niutum said that both Pixis and Potentia were plundering their cattle, sheep and property, and forcibly recruiting them to serve as vanguards..."

"Yes, Lord Archon. When these people arrived at Niutum, they saw that the Lucanians who had become citizens of Dionia were very rich in life, and they were very envious! They are now eager to restore Grumentum. Peace allows them to continue to live a quiet life under the protection of powerful forces." Hermon said solemnly: "And we are the only ones who can help them realize this good wish, Dionia!"

"So I would also like to ask you to send people to be more active near Grumentum. It is best to sneak into the city so that these Lucanians who have been deeply hurt by the war can understand this!" Daves asked. .

Hermon nodded in agreement.

"After you go back, Bagule, tell Sesta that you will gather all the Lucanian young people in Niutum, and you will conduct assault training according to the original Lucanian combat method. However, the organization of the army is the smallest. It is better to follow the current form, because it will be more disciplined. In addition, we must keep it secret and not let the enemies in the north know."

Davers' words made Bagule excitedly say: "When will we attack?"

"Waiting for the opportunity." Davos spit out a sentence, then looked around at everyone, and said firmly: "I would rather let Potentia and Garacuso become vassals of Dionia than let Grumentum leave. Our control! The location of Grumentum City is very important. It controls the land access to the north, east, and west of Italy, and it must be controlled by Dionia himself! "

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

Crotone's troops had just arrived at Siliting, and after joining the small reinforcements sent by Trina and Siliting, they continued southward.The Crotone fleet has been sailing south, has already passed Silitium, and has almost reached the sea near Coronia.

At this time, the clipper ship at the forefront sent back a message: The Lockley fleet was spotted on the sea ahead, with about 40 ships!
Ascamas, the commander of the Crotone navy, immediately ordered: the fleet slowed down, lowered the sails, arranged the ships in formation, and prepared to fight!

Soon, the warships who received the order gathered together to form a formation with the trireme in the center and the other large and small warships on both sides. They sailed as close to the coast as possible, because it was an easterly wind at this time, although the wind was falling. The sails can still use the wind speed to save sailors some effort, so the fleet tries its best to seize the windward position.

Before the formation was completed, Lockley's fleet had already appeared on the sea less than one nautical mile away from them.

Askamas gave the decisive order: speed up the ship and prepare to attack!

From west to east, Crotone's fleet is divided into five columns, each column has ten ships, preparing to rush into the defense line of enemy ships at extremely fast speeds, and then use the advantage of more ships to achieve a pair of One or two versus one capture and fight (this was once a common naval tactic created by the Athenians to use more to defeat fewer).

　Thanks to book friends 161124125047068 and Jie Yu 88 for their rewards!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)