ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 989 Shocked Carthage
During this takeover process, Carthage and Tire were not without conflicts, but in the end they completed the handover relatively smoothly, and no major war broke out. It was true that the political situation in the east was so bad at that time that Tire itself could not protect itself. Still had the ability to launch a war with Carthage, and the two sides finally reached a century-long agreement, not because they were the same people, but because Carthage needed more supplies from the eastern Phoenician region headed by Tire. Colonial population and a market for trade, while Tire needed the precious metals of the western Mediterranean, it was a win-win.

For hundreds of years, Carthage and Tire have had close exchanges and happy cooperation, but this was all in trade. Politically, there had never been mutual visits between high-level officials of the city-states. This was also the first time they had cooperated in the military.

When Pselica led his fleet to the Western Mediterranean, why didn't he directly enter the port of Carthage?One reason is to avoid being discovered early by the Dionian navy, and another reason is that Carthage is now powerful and wealthy in the Western Mediterranean, which is far beyond the reach of Tire, which is now dependent on others. Therefore, the pride of the Tire nobles has given way. He would rather choose to stop at the settlement once established by the Tyrians, now called Hadrumentum, rather than go to the prosperous Carthage to avoid feeling disappointed.

At the same time, Puselica also wanted to use victory after victory to show the Carthaginians that Tire and the eastern Phenicia region were still Carthage's most powerful support.Who knew that the first raid battle carefully planned by him was actually reversed by the Dionysians when they had a clear advantage, and many crew members were captured.

Pselica led the remaining warships to escape back to Hadrumentum in embarrassment, and immediately sent people to tell the Carthaginian Senate, hoping that they could redeem the captured Phoenician crew.

However, a few days later, the Senate responded: Dionia agreed to exchange prisoners, but only agreed to a one-to-one exchange. Since the number of East Phoenician crew members who were captured was larger, I am afraid that a small number of them could not be exchanged.

Although Puselica was angry, she had no choice. Dionia had a tough attitude, always persisted, and did not accept ransom. In the end, some East Phoenician captives failed to be rescued, which made Puselica dare not lead the remnants. The warships returned to the Eastern Mediterranean, fearing that they would be questioned by the people.

At the same time, the strength of the Dionian navy made him feel intimidated. He refused to fight for Carthage on the grounds that "the fleet was seriously damaged and needed a long rest". After staying for several months, he was looking forward to the final battle between Carthage and Dionia and an armistice so that he could redeem his compatriots and return to his country for business.

However, based on what he learned during this period, Pselica felt that although Carthage was at a disadvantage, it would be impossible to stop the war in a short period of time. However, the crew stayed in Hadrumentum with nothing to do every day. As time went by, it was inevitable that he would miss his hometown. He asked him many times to return to the Eastern Mediterranean. Every time he tried to persuade them, he had to spend all his time. Now, even he himself was wavering: How about returning to the Eastern Mediterranean first and waiting for the war to end? Carthage helped him redeem his compatriots?

In the past few days, he has been struggling with this problem. He couldn't eat or sleep well. He fell asleep late last night and was still asleep this morning. Suddenly he was woken up by someone: "General, Dionia People are entering the city!"

"Are you kidding? This is Africa, not Sicily!" Puselica reprimanded his men loudly, but then he heard the deafening screams and cries outside, and his face suddenly changed, and he said eagerly: " Hurry! Go to the port! Drive our warship out of here!"

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How did Pselica know that one of the main purposes of the Sicilian fleet's attack on the city of Hadrumentum was to destroy the East Phoenician combined fleet, because it was far away from Carthage and anchored at the port of Hadrumentum. The defense ability is not strong, and it is very easy to succeed.

The Sicilian fleet docked directly on the beach south of the city of Hadrumentum. 7000 fleet infantry quickly jumped off the crow warship, carried the prepared ladders, and headed straight for the city of Hadrumentum not far away.

It was almost noon at this time, and Hadrumantum, who lived a comfortable life, had just finished breakfast. Some people were strolling out of the city, preparing to go to the farm outside the city to supervise the Numibian slaves in preparing for winter sowing, and they bumped into each other. Seeing the Diolinian soldiers charging like wolves and tigers, the Hadrumantum people who had been peaceful for a long time were immediately frightened and ran towards the city in panic.

For the first time in their lives, the few sentinels at the top of the city encountered such a crisis. After a while of panic, they thought of closing the city gate, but at this time the city gate could not be closed, because the fleeing people had already blocked the entire city gate.

The Dionian fleet infantry easily entered the city without even using the ladder. While they were causing chaos in the city, their main force went straight to the port.

Puselica rushed to the port, and as soon as he boarded the warship, the Dionian fleet infantry arrived and killed many East Phoenician sailors who had not yet boarded the warship.

The unarmed East Phoenicians were brutally slaughtered.

Seeing this tragic situation, Puselika hurriedly let the ship sail away from the port. Unexpectedly, the Dionian fleet warship was guarding outside the port. It was sunk as soon as it left the port. Other warships and merchant ships hurriedly turned back. As a result, they collided with each other and turned into a mess.

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On this day, the Carthaginian elders were anxiously discussing the matter of "the Dionians occupying the port of St. Ibinia and Salos" at the meeting place. Everyone discussed for a long time but did not come up with any effective suggestions. It was really because Carthage Key has now concentrated almost all of its army and navy in the direction of Sicily, and there is no excess military power to support Sardinia.

Only then did they realize that Carthage was not much stronger than Dionia, and so far in the battle, Carthage was already at a clear disadvantage.

Pretakouba suggested: "Carry out another war mobilization against the Carthage and Phoenician allies, recruit an army of 3 to [-] people, and let Lord Morbar lead a fleet to send them to Kalaris in Sardinia. Waiting for an opportunity to recapture Salos and Saint Ibinia occupied by the Dionians, and restore normal order to Sardinia..."

Okriton sneered at this, and he mocked: "Recruit another 3 or 5 people?! Lord Pretakouba, does he think our Carthage is Persia and can have endless sources of troops?! Let me tell you, this battle From the beginning of the war, Carthage has recruited nearly 2 soldiers (including naval personnel, and they are the majority). So far, there have been nearly [-] casualties. Do you think Carthage has more soldiers? Too many soldiers? If the people are sent to fight, then who will farm the land and provide food for the army? Who will do business and provide gold and silver for the national treasury?..."

Preeta Kuba was speechless for a moment.

"It is possible to recruit only a small number of citizens as team officers in the city of Carthage, and most of the soldiers will be provided by the allies." A Magonid senator quickly added.

"The situation of the allies is not much better than ours!" Okriton sneered: "They have also been drafted twice, how can they still have extra troops!"

"You can recruit more Numibians as before." Another Magonid elder made another suggestion.

"7 people were conscripted in East and West Numbia, and the casualties they paid were the highest. Those Numibian tribes would not be stupid enough to agree to our request for conscription, and our blind demands would only threaten us. To survive the Numibian tribes, be careful to arouse their resistance!" Hanno warned sternly.

Hanno's words moved the senators: Yes, the Carthaginians are used to the deference of the Numibians, but this deference is caused by decades of political and military conquest by the Carthaginians, but in fact The entire population of Numbia is several times greater than that of Carthage. Carthage is now fully engaged in the war in Sicily, and its domestic troops are empty. It really should ensure stability and avoid turmoil.

Taipanlaco stood up again and said loudly: "In fact, the problem about Sardinia is easy to solve. As long as Master Mago leads the army in Sicily to defeat the main force of Dionia that opposes it, and regains control of Sicily." With the advantage of the island, some troops can be mobilized to solve the problem of Sardinia.

But now, Lord Mago, who is regarded as a hero by the people of Carthage, is in charge of the [-] troops we have recruited so hard, but he seems to have suddenly lost his courage. So far, he has never had a fight with the main force of Dionia. Was the battle really because King Dionia scared him? "

The Magonid senators were very angry when they heard this and were about to stand up and retort.

At this time, the door of the venue was suddenly pushed open: "My lords, it's not good! Hadrumentum is being attacked by the Dionians!"

The senators were all shocked, and many immediately expressed doubts, because Carthage in Africa had been at peace for hundreds of years within its influence, and had never been invaded.

However, when the city guards who broke into the venue brought several Hadrumentum messengers who came to ask for help (actually the first Hadrumentum people to escape to Carthage on horseback), they cried bitterly. After telling the general story of the disaster that was happening in Hadrumentum City with tears in his eyes, the venue suddenly became silent, and a terrible thought came to everyone's mind: the war has really spread. On the land where they live! ! !

After a moment, Preta Kuba decisively suggested: "We should immediately let the Carthaginian army stationed in Numbia rush to Hadrumantum to eliminate these damn Dionian bandits! We should also Immediately send a fast boat to inform Morbar, let him lead the fleet to the waters near Hadrumentum, and send all Dionia's warships to the sea to feed the fish!..."

(End of this chapter)