ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 720 Military Operations of the Iberian Army on the North Coast

Sekerian smiled: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I am also a senior member of the Senate after all. How could I act recklessly regardless of the overall situation!"

Davos also smiled and said: "I feel relieved to have you in charge of the southern sea! But after you completely control the sea in Sicily, don't completely block the sea passage between Carthage and Sicily."

"Why?" Sekerian blurted out after being stunned.

"Because we need to give Carthage hope, so that they can continue to consume their own resources and send Carthage citizens to Sicily..." Davos's eyes were filled with cold light.

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"General, how could you allow Hasdrubal to lead his army to attack the north coast of Sicily alone!" Milephio broke into the military camp tent and asked Monte Adeno loudly.

Monte Adeno did not reprimand Milefio for his rudeness. He shrugged and asked helplessly: "If we don't let him go, what can we do? Just because he refused to send his troops as forwards, He has been arguing with me here for three days, which has seriously affected my command of other troops. Can I punish him with military law?!"

Milofio was speechless for a moment, and he immediately realized: Hasdruback was the most important member of the Magonid family, and he was punished just because of a dispute over military opinions. This was not the case for Montea, who had an average background and strength. Deno dared to do it.If it is really implemented, it may give Maggo an excuse to withdraw the troops from the expedition. Monte Adeno is trying to avoid the enemy.

Milephio said unwillingly: "We can report Hasdrubal's rude behavior of refusing to obey military orders to the Senate and let them punish him!"

Monte Adeno shook his head secretly: Milephio was still too young. He suggested that he ask the Senate for help before the war started. Wouldn't this make the senators feel that he was too incompetent? How could Hanno be reassured? Leave the power of commanding the army to yourself!
Thinking of this, a sneer appeared on his face: "In fact, it is a good thing that Hasdrubal is leading the army to attack the north coast. If he attacks with all his strength, it can help us attract the attention of the Dionysian army and distract their forces. ; If he fails to station troops, he will be completely noticed by the Senate and the people. When compared with our achievements, it will only embarrass the Magonid family. I believe this will make the Magonid family extremely important to their reputation. If Mago knows, he will definitely ask Hasdrubal to attack with all his strength."

Milephio thought for a moment and smiled.

"What's the current status of your soldiers?" Monte Adeno asked again with concern.

"They are all eager to fight!" Milefeo answered simply.

"That's good." Monte Adeno nodded happily, knowing that the Holy Legion army commanded by Milephio was the main force of the Carthaginian army: "Go back and be prepared, we will soon be along the south coast. Attacked eastward."

"Yes, General!" Milephio said goodbye excitedly.

After seeing Hanno's son-in-law away, Monte Adeno breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to ask his servant to bring him a jar of wine, the guard came in and reported: "General, the leader of Sikel named Arkonis has come to see him again."

"No!" Monte Adeno waved his hand impatiently: Is the leader of Sikel who has lost his people and is fostered in the city of Lillibe like a bereaved dog worthy of coming to see him?
Hasdrubal led his complex army of [-] troops and quickly left Lilibi by ship, quickly went north, and landed at Panormus, a seaside city-state in northwest Sicily.

This is a city-state established by the Phoenicians and has always been ruled by the Carthaginians. Hasdrubal's family reputation made him warmly welcomed, but the people were also surprised to see this huge There were not many Phoenicians or Carthaginian citizens in the team. They were basically all foreigners in strange clothes, so they were refused to come near the city.

Fortunately, the flat land around the city of Palermos is the widest among the towns on the north coast, so Hasdrubal and Kisgo led the army to build a temporary military camp outside the city.

Due to its favorable geographical location and environment, Hasdrubal decided to use it as a rear base for his troops at Kisgo's suggestion. Therefore, he spent a few more days to completely build the camp and stock up on food and supplies. A few soldiers were left to garrison and began to lead the army to attack eastward.

This time the army took the land route, and after marching for just over two hours, they arrived at Solus, another Phoenician town.Back then, the reason why Dionysius's army and the Carthaginian army led by Mago fought fiercely here for several months was not because it was a big city, but because this medium-sized town completely blocked the way from all directions. The land passage between the mountains and the coast will be more difficult to attack.

After Hasdrubal's army stopped here for a while, they continued to move forward. The next road was more difficult to walk. There was the sea on the left and towering mountains on the right. The average altitude was about 1000 meters. This road The accessible seaside passage was also undulating, with the narrowest point being less than two miles, and the marching speed of the entire army slowed down.

At about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, they walked out of this narrow coastline and stepped onto soft land. What appeared in front of them were low hills.

Hasdrubal was excited because the guide told him that Himera was ahead.

Hasdrubal immediately ordered the army to rush to the Himera River and build a temporary camp to prepare for the night.

And he and Kisgow rode fast horses and led the guards to this place of great significance to the Magonid family.

Decades ago, his ancestor Hamilcar once led the Carthaginian army to besiege this largest Greek city-state on the north coast of Sicily. As a result, Dilon, the tyrant of Syracuse at the time, arrived with reinforcements and finally defeated Hamilcar. army.

More than ten years ago, Hasdrubal's father Himilko led the Carthaginian army to Sicily again, captured the city-state that brought shame to the Magonides family, and Himilko built At the altar of Baal Hamon, thousands of captives were sacrificed in a blood sacrifice ceremony to comfort the heroic spirits of their ancestors and wash away the previous shame.

When Hasdrubal and the others arrived, the city of Himera was no longer in front of them, but a ruin covered with grass. Only the river called Himera gurgled through the ruins.

On the east bank of the Himera River, there are one or two Greek villages, and the people in the villages are fleeing eastward with their families.

The guards were about to pursue them, but Hasdrubal stopped them: "Don't worry, they won't be able to escape in the end!"

He turned over and dismounted and wandered slowly in the ruins for a while. When the subsequent troops arrived at the riverside one after another, he said to Kisgow solemnly: "When I win, I will build an altar here. This time it will be my turn to It’s time for us to wash away the shame of our family!”

Keithgo nodded solemnly as well.

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Early on the next morning, Hasdrubal gathered his troops and continued marching, riding at the head of the team.

Ahead is the Himera River, and further east is the sphere of influence of the Greeks. The Carthaginian army crossing this river means declaring war on the Greek forces in Sicily.

Hasdrubal urged his horse to cross the Himera River without hesitation, thus kicking off the war between the two largest powers in the Western Mediterranean, the Kingdom of Dionia and Carthage.

By noon, the Carthaginian army, which was marching along the coastline, stopped advancing. In front of them, a Greek town, Cephaloedum, blocked the way.
Compared with Sorus City, the terrain of Cerodiam is more dangerous. On its seaside side is a mountain peak with an altitude of 300 meters, on the inland side is a series of mountains with an average altitude of 500 to 400 meters, and in the middle is a lowland. The narrowest point is only [-] meters, and the city of Cerodiam guards it.

When Hasdrubal saw that the terrain was dangerous, he immediately ordered his troops to form a dense column in front of the city (because the terrain was so narrow that it could not be deployed head-on), extending for several miles. Bugles were blown, drums thundered, and the soldiers marched together. The roar was loud and powerful.

Then, he sent his men to the city to persuade him to surrender, otherwise he threatened to massacre the city, but they were sternly rejected.

Therefore, Hasdrubal ordered the troops to retreat a mile away, and while building a temporary camp, he began to prepare siege equipment.

When Dionysius attacked many Carthage towns in Sicily, the Carthaginians had suffered enough from crossbows, belly bows, and siege towers, and had been concentrating their efforts on research and development over the years.After all, Carthage is a powerful city-state, and its civilization is no less than that of Greece. In addition to the complex process, large manpower required, and difficulty in making super sieges, siege equipment such as ballistae and abdominal bows have long been able to be produced by themselves. Crafted, and can also be used to aid allies, such as Rome.

Soldiers began to assemble ballistae and belly bows, and cut down trees to make ladders and siege engines.

The Cerodiams also sent messengers by boat from the port to Millais to ask for help from the Dionysians.

The next day, Hasdrubal led his army to attack the city of Cerodiam.

The people of the city were reminded by the Dionians half a month ago and re-reinforced the city defenses under the guidance of the Dionians. However, the narrow terrain prevented the Iberian troops from taking advantage of their large numbers, and Being able to only attack its western wall would also help the Cerodiaum people to concentrate their forces on defense.

After a day of fierce fighting, even the top of the city was not captured, and the Iberian troops had to withdraw their troops and return to camp.

The next day, Hasdrubal led the army to fight again, but still failed to attack the city.

It was like this for several days.

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Just two days after the Iberian army left, Monte Adeno led the Carthaginian army also set out from Lilibbe and marched eastward along the road along the south coast.

The army first reached Mazara in the afternoon.

　Thanks to Sniper No. 11, Looking up to the sky and roaring with anger Baihong, for the reward!Your support is my motivation to write! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)