ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 773 Rome is in crisis

The senators were awakened from their sleep and rushed to the Senate to hold a meeting to discuss countermeasures.

As a result, in the morning, another reconnaissance horse rushed back to the city of Rome, and successively brought worse news: "It was discovered that the Dionysian army set off from the city of Ostia and marched eastward along the Tiber River! "

"It was discovered that Dionia's army set off from Lavinium and was heading east quickly!"

There is no doubt that Dionia's army is obviously heading for the city of Rome!The luck in the hearts of the elders was shattered, and they all felt nervous.

"How many people are there in the incoming Dionian army?" The questioner was Publius Cominelius Scipio, the father of Milusius, also known as "The Great West" by the people. Pia".

Milusius was appointed as a messenger by the Senate and had set out for Hernici to deliver orders to Camillus.His resigned post of city guard chief was appointed by the Senate to be taken over by his father, not because the position was hereditary, but because Scipio was a veteran with outstanding military exploits. He once served as the deputy cavalry commander to the general Camillus.In the current critical moment of the enemy, it is natural to need experienced veterans to take charge.

"Because the Dionians sent cavalry to roam around the army, the reconnaissance cavalry could not get closer to observe. However, based on their experience, the two armies combined probably numbered 5 to [-] people."

This number made many senators take a breath and exclaim: "So many enemies! And there are only 3000 soldiers in our city! The city of Rome...the city of Rome——"

"There are more than 3000 soldiers in the city of Rome, plus the citizens mobilized last night, it has exceeded 1!" Ambustus said loudly, trying to dispel the uneasiness in the hearts of his colleagues.

"But they are all old people and children!"

"Shut up!" Potitus roared angrily: "At this time, there are only Roman citizens who died in battle and those who are still fighting, there is no distinction between old people and children!"

At this point, he tore off his clothes, exposed his skinny right hand, raised it, clenched it into a fist, and said: "I propose that citizens over 65 years old and young people over 13 years old be recruited as auxiliary soldiers to participate in the defense of the city. One sign up!"

"How is this possible! A 60-year-old man can't even hold a shield—" Apuleius was about to object, but Potitus glared at him angrily, and Apuleius stopped talking knowingly.

Potitus glanced at Marugine Ensis beside him, suppressed the anger in his heart, exhaled softly, and said in a deep voice: "It is more than 100 miles from here to the city of Ferentirum. Moreover, the road is not easy to walk. It will take at least half a day for the messenger to reach the Roman camp if he rides at full speed. And if the army wants to return to Rome, it will take two days no matter how fast it is. You have to let Camillus spend another day. , attack the city of Ferentirum, then tell me, how many days will it take for Camillus to lead the army to return?!"

"Four days! It will take four days at the earliest!" Ambustus took the opportunity to answer loudly: "Judging from the current situation, the Dionians have tried their best to attack the city of Rome, and the current situation in the city you I have seen that Rome can resist the attack of the Dionians and persist until Camillus leads the army back?! Even if it can be defended, how many deaths and injuries will we have to pay for the defending force composed of old people and young people? ?! Not long after Milusius left, the courier hastened his horse and should be able to catch up, so I propose to cancel the previous proposal to Camillus and let him lead the army back to Rome immediately!"

The senate fell into a moment of silence. After all, all the elders here knew that if Camillus led his army back and then fought against Dionia's army, he would not be able to attack Helnicki again for a period of time. This will bring about a resurgence of the Herniki people, who have been in dire straits, and make Rome's hard work of more than a month come to naught.

At this time, the old senator Lucritius stood up and said emotionally: "The land is gone, you can still get it again. Rome is gone, but everything is over! I don't want to see the city of Rome being invaded again." The tribesmen are ravaging us!”

His words brought back the painful memories of the senators. Many of them were moved and shouted: "Agree! Agree to let Camillus return immediately to defend Rome and repel the enemy!"

Amidst the shouts, Marugenes looked at Scipio silently, and Scipio shook his head slightly at him. Although Marugeneses did not agree or object, he remained silent.

At this time, Apuleius stood up and said: "Ambustus, didn't you go to notify our allies last night to send reinforcements? Why didn't you see any movement?"

"I sent messengers to Gabi, Tustron, Rabikom, Pendum...their reply was, 'Their young and middle-aged citizens had answered the call of Rome a month ago and followed Cami. Luce went to Helnicki, and now there are no reinforcements to send.'”

"So...Plenister, Bonnet, Tibur...have you asked about these city-states?" Apuleius asked again.

Ambustus was a little angry. As a respected senator, he felt humiliated by being questioned in such a tone. He immediately said angrily: "Unless you are not a Roman, you should not know that these city-states No matter how far it is from Rome, I’m afraid it will be late at night when our messenger gets there. The senate of any city-state will not deal with political affairs at that time, even if we are Rome, it will not be able to do it, and it will make people laugh!"

Apuleius smiled awkwardly and muttered: "Look, this is all the fault of Camillus..." but did not dare to ask any more questions.

"Before the Dionians arrive, should we notify the people in the villages outside the city to evacuate to the city? This will not only ensure their safety, but also enhance our defense strength." Abinius make a suggestion.

At this time, Marugine Ensis spoke: "It's better not to do this! The young and middle-aged citizens of the entire Roman region either went to Helnicki, or went to Antium and Vilitre in the west. , Satnicum, the remaining villages outside the city are either old people, women or children, and some slaves. Not only will they not provide help for the defenders, but they will increase chaos... er... There is... uh..."

Scipio hurriedly continued: "There are many residents outside the city. Once they get the news, they will rush into the city in panic. I am afraid that they will not be able to let them all enter the city in two or three hours. Instead, the city gate will be kept open all the time. Knowing that the Dionysian army is speeding up the march, it is likely to arrive here in two hours... By then, it will be a disaster for both the city of Rome and the people gathered at the city gate! I suggest ——Immediately dispatch the cavalry to inform the people in the villages outside the city to evacuate towards Gabi City or Prenister with food, and come back together after Camillus leads the army back.”

Potitus looked at Marugine Ensis and did not express any objection, reaching a rare agreement with him.

Not only him, but most of the elders agreed. Although they all live in the city, they all own a lot of land outside the city. Therefore, they also have their own houses and even villas. Of course, they also have their own families and clans living there. However, letting them evacuate Rome is also a safe way to disperse risks and preserve the family, and the elders tacitly understand each other.

"While notifying Camillus to lead the army back to Rome, we must also send messengers to inform Paulus, Megios, and Pantius, so that they can regroup as soon as possible and lead the soldiers back to Rome! In addition , Tustron, Tibur, Prenister... These Latin allies still have to send messengers to ask them for reinforcements, even if only a few soldiers can come, it will also help defend our Roman city." Onishi When Pia said these words, his eyes were on Ambustus.

This time, Ambustus made no objection.

"Don't forget our colonial city of Weiai and the Etruscan allies on the north bank of the Tiber River. We should also ask for help from them immediately! Although before, they also sent reinforcements to join the attack on the Herniki people. war, but compared to the Latin Allies, they should have more resources to send reinforcements." Potitus reminded loudly.

"Dear Potitus, you are right to remind me!" Scipio's euphemistic response was much more skillful than that of Apuleius: "But in this case, we must retain the Vertebra Bridge on the Tiber River, and We also need to send heavy troops to guard it.”

"Could it be that my family could defend the bridge with a few hundred men back then, but now we have tens of thousands of soldiers, but we dare not defend it and can only destroy it?!" Ambustus noticed that Scipio was Intention, he immediately asked loudly.

A hundred years ago, the entire Fabius clan went out to guard the Vertebrae Bridge in Rome to resist the attack of the Viais. In the end, almost the entire army was annihilated. This became an unforgettable and painful memory for the Fabius clan, but it also became their tribute to Rome. The capital of the people's boast, as the current patriarch of the Fabius clan, how could Ambustus allow this bridge to be easily destroyed.

"Of course we must defend the Vertebral Bridge! But the two wooden bridges on Tiberina Island must be destroyed, and the people on the island must withdraw to Rome!" Marugine Ensis hesitated seeing Scipio, in order not to let As a result, there was a gap between the Cornelius clan and the Fabius clan, and he immediately expressed his opinion. He felt that it was acceptable to defend one bridge with the current strength in the city of Rome, and it would take enough troops to defend two bridges. .

Ambustus agreed.

The discussion went much smoother after that, and the Senate quickly reached some resolutions and took action quickly.They began to mobilize the people of the city and encouraged them to resist the Dionian attack and hold on until the Camillus army returned to prevent the Roman city from being sacked again.

Note: The Fabius clan, some also translate as "Fabian", the Fabian consul who adopted delaying tactics to save Rome in the war between Hannibal and Rome came from this clan.

　Thanks to Yijian 68 for the reward!Your support is my motivation to write! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)