ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 767: Capture of Ostia
When the siege battle was fierce, the third fleet led by Midolades sailed to the mouth of the Tiber River and approached the port of Ostia.

The Romans had already blocked the port of Ostia with iron chains, and the archers in the anti-wave towers tested rockets at the warships approaching the port as a deterrent.

The Third Fleet circled the port, and then the warships docked on the south bank of the Tiber River.

The city of Ostia is similar to a rectangle, with its long west side leaning against the coast and a city wall. If Dionia wants to attack from this direction, it can only pass through the sea. It is too difficult, so the Dionia army Focus on attacking the east and south sides, while the short side to the north of Ostia is the port.

Why was the city of Ostia not built along the banks of the Taipei River?It stands to reason that this is more conducive to the lives of the people in the city. It is very convenient whether it is to work in the fields or to collect water. That is because there is a larger lagoon immediately to the east of the port, which is formed by Taiwanese water every year. Formed when the Bo River surged and overflowed its banks, this oval lake with a length of about 300 meters from north to south and more than 200 meters from east to west has already become a part of Ostia City. The Ostians even left a special lake on the city's edge. There are enough tidal flats so that when the Taipei River swells and connects to the lagoon, the houses will not be flooded.

Since the war with Dionia, although the Senate has not been too worried about Ostia's safety, it still followed the Carthaginians' suggestions and built a small road in the lagoon closest to the bank of the Tiber River. The long breakwater is mainly to prevent the Dionysians from pushing their warships across the river bank of only a dozen meters, passing through the lagoon, and invading the city. This is just a rainy day plan for the Carthaginians.

But this time, the Dionia fleet really came, and their warships sailed eastward along the river bank. After bypassing the newly built breakwater, the warships docked on the south bank of the Taibo River, and the fleet infantry disembarked. After getting off the ship, each person carried a large wooden board. Under the orders of the team officers, 2800 fleet infantry were assembled (the Third Fleet has a total of 70 crow warships).

After quickly advancing a few hundred meters, they came to the lake. They put wooden boards in the water, put helmets, wooden shields, leather armor and short swords on them. They only wore leather armor and leather sandals, and then held them with both hands. On both sides of the board, the whole body is floating on the water, using the legs as oars to keep pushing forward.Armed swimming across a lake less than a mile is an easy task for fleet infantry who are proficient in water skills and have strict training in this area.

When some people in the city of Ostia suddenly discovered that the lagoon they usually used for drinking, swimming and playing was full of enemies and quickly swam towards the city, they screamed in horror, hoping that the defending soldiers could prevent them from landing.

But the vanguard of the fleet infantry had already landed ashore. They quickly put on their helmets and picked up wooden shields and short swords.It is difficult to walk on the slippery and muddy tidal flats, but it is not difficult for these fleet infantrymen, who are mostly fishermen and have played on the seaside and river banks since childhood. Not only did they move freely, but they also gradually formed a team during the march. shape.

By the time the garrison generals got the news, the fleet infantry were basically already ashore, and the city was already in chaos.

Although the fierce attack of the Deolian army made the defense of the city tight, the Roman generals had to squeeze out a small number of troops to go to the city to block the advancement of the fleet infantry and avoid being attacked from both sides.But in fact, this is just drinking poison to quench thirst.

The scout cavalry who had been observing the movements of the defenders quickly reported the changes in the enemy on the city wall to King Davos. He did not hesitate to let the recharged Fourth Army immediately join the siege team. This became a pressure. The straw that broke the camel's back.

At dusk, the Dionian army captured Ostia.

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At the same time, the rapid sound of horse hooves broke through the city of Rome, which had just calmed down at dusk, and the messenger on the war horse shouted all the way: "Emergency military situation! Emergency military situation!..." so that the people on the street could take shelter in advance. , to avoid accidental injury.

This naturally aroused doubts and panic among many Roman people: "What happened?! Could it be that Camillus suffered a defeat?!"

"Don't talk nonsense, how could Camillus fail! I think our army must have conquered the city of Philentirum!"

"If we win, the messenger just now has announced it to us, so there is no need to rush to the Senate in such a hurry."

……

While the people of Rome were talking a lot, the messenger rode across the square and opened the door of the Senate.

At this time, the Roman senators were about to leave the venue and go home to rest. They were shocked when they suddenly heard the news that "the Dionysian army came from the sea and was about to land on the coast of Latium."

These days, their main business in the Senate was to hear the progress of the Roman army's war against the Hernicians. Just when they were eager to receive news of the final victory, they did not expect that the first person they heard was Dionysus. The demihumans attacked them.

Aren't the Dionians now fighting Carthage in Sicily? !Aren't they defending against the Samnite invasion? ! ...The first reaction of many Roman senators when they heard the news was disbelief.

Compared to the shock of most senators, Potitus seemed a little calm. He asked loudly: "Are you sure where the Dionysian army will land?"

The messenger replied: "General Paulus is sending reconnaissance cavalry to track along the coast. I believe there will be news back soon."

Potitus pondered and said to himself: "Adi? Impossible, it is too close to Antium, and our army can easily destroy the Dionian landing... The coast of Lavinium, it is possible, There are not many citizen soldiers in this small town..."

Before he could finish speaking, Appinius had already shouted loudly: "Ostia is not far from Lavinium!"

"Ostia! The target of Dionia's attack is most likely Ostia!!..." There was a sound of exclamation in the venue. The senators of Rome were not idlers. Most of them were before they became senators. They have all participated in many city-state affairs and foreign wars. Of course, they can realize how much the loss of Ostia will be to Rome, and how much help Ostia will be to the Dionians.

"There are 3000 defenders in the city of Ostia, and after Paulus, Megios, and Pantius discovered the abnormality, they would definitely gather their troops and rush to stop it. The situation should not be that bad." Lucriti Wus comforted everyone.

"Previous battles have told us that the Dionian soldiers are very powerful, and according to the report from the messenger just now, the number of Dionian troops about to land is probably greater than the number of soldiers we sent to garrison at the Volscian border. If there are more, plus the [-] Dionian reinforcements originally in Volsey also rushed to assist them in landing, we must be prepared for the worst. Paulus and the others may not be able to prevent the other party from landing, and Austria Stia is likely to be attacked by the opponent!" Cautious Potitus reminded loudly.

"Even if they can successfully land, they will not be able to capture Ostia in such a short period of time. We still have a chance!" Apuleius said loudly.

His words were immediately echoed by many elders.Yes, not only did they misjudge the situation, but the Dionysians boldly led their troops to attack from the sea again, bypassing Rome's heavily defended towns and raiding its defenseless hinterland, allowing them to set up a southwest defense strategy It was all in vain, and of course they did not want Dionia to capture Ostia again, which would make them feel extremely regretful.

"Now I'm afraid that the troops led by Paulus are already at war with Dionia. I believe we will get the news tonight about the situation." Ambustus reminded everyone not to waste energy on blind guesses. He said calmly "What we have to do now is to send someone to notify Camillus immediately!"

"I don't agree with your opinion. It's dark outside now. It's difficult to ride a horse in the dark, and the terrain of the Tulerus Valley is undulating. Not to mention that there are still remnants of the Herniki wandering in the wild. At this time, send If someone goes to inform Camillus, it is very likely that he will lose his life before seeing him. Losing his life is still a small matter. If it falls into the hands of the Herniqi and their allies, let them know about Dionia The news of a large-scale invasion by the Japanese will greatly boost their morale and cause trouble for Camillus to lead his army to retreat in the future." Publius Cornelius Scipio immediately expressed his dissent.

Many elders thought he was right.

At this time, a voice sounded loudly in the venue: "No matter how difficult it is, someone must be sent to inform Camillus tonight to let him lead his army back as soon as possible!" Potitus said firmly, and he looked around the venue Everyone inside looked very solemn: "Dear elders and newcomers, I just thought of a very serious problem. In my decades of career, war has always been as unpredictable as the temperament of the gods. When you think the situation will When things get really bad, the facts will get even worse! We must consider the possibility that the Dionysian army will attack our Roman city in a big way tomorrow!"

The venue was once again in an uproar.

Even if the Dionians took the risk of bypassing the Roman defenses on land and raiding the colonial city of Ostia, do they have the guts to go deep alone and invade the interior of the Latium region? !In the case of enemies all around, attack the city of Rome brazenly? ! !Although many elders were shocked by Poditus' speculation, they were completely skeptical: first of all, Ostia would take them a lot of time!
(End of this chapter)