903 - The Last Battle of Latinum - Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Davos seemed to remember something and turned to his son standing beside him, "Crotokatax, I have a task for you. Take a few strategists to the reserve battalion's camp and thoroughly teach the soldiers how to play rugby and football so that they can compete. I'll ask Tolmides to postpone the reserve battalion's match as much as possible..." "Yes, Your Majesty, I'll teach them in the shortest time possible!" Crotokatax responded earnestly, then couldn't resist asking, "May I join them in the match?" "You'll have to ask your Uncle Matonis," Davos replied, smiling once more at Matonis. Faced with Crotokatax's eager eyes, Matonis relented, "Well... of course you can." After the day of celebration in Rome, Sextus was well aware that Crotokatax was the son of King Davos. Realizing Davos's emphasis on the Roman reserve team, he warmly welcomed Crotokatax's involvement. "Your Majesty, while we refrain from attacking Satricum, what about Antium and Velitrae?" Olivos prompted. "For now, similar to before, we'll have our cavalry keep an eye on them. We'll reconvene for discussions after the rugby and football matches," Davos replied. In his mind, however, he had already made plans to shift the next offensive target to Antium. With its limited defense forces and status as a port city, capturing it would facilitate sea transport of supplies and apply pressure on Satricum's garrison. "Your Majesty, a large Carthaginian force has landed in Sicily. Unlike before, our troops in Sicily will face a significant threat. Shouldn't we end the war in Latium and move to aid Sicily quickly?!" Amintas, feeling frustrated, spoke with a hint of urgency. Davos looked at him, his expression growing serious. "I've said before, soldiers, like us, are flesh and bone, not made of iron. They need proper rest and entertainment to alleviate their war-weariness and melancholy. Look back at your First Legion. Compared to when it first arrived at Volsci, how many new faces are there now! Don't you feel any guilt? If the Carthaginian army poses a threat in Sicily, then yes, quickly capturing Satricum could hasten the end of the Latium campaign. But with a half-depleted army facing the Carthaginian forces, do you think we'd prevail?" Though Davos's voice wasn't loud, everyone could sense the anger in his words, sending a metaphorical chill through the tent, causing all to shiver internally. Amintas's face reddened, but he dared not speak further. Seeing this, Davos smiled slightly and softened his tone, speaking slowly, "Refraining from a full assault on Satricum doesn't mean we'll ignore it. The camp must continue advancing toward the city, clearing any undercity traps and tightening the encirclement. Ballistae should bombard the walls daily, hurling firebolts into the city. Siege ramps must be quickly built to enable our light infantry to attack the Roman soldiers on the walls from a distance... In essence, maintain constant pressure on the Roman garrison!" As he spoke, Davos suddenly turned to Sextus, who stood in a distant corner, and asked quietly, "Sextus, before we attacked Satricum, we had the Roman families from the Capitoline Hill persuade the defenders to surrender. Why was the effect so negligible?" All eyes turned towards the young Roman officer. Despite his origins, Sextus wasn't nervous. With a complex expression, he said, "I believe it relates to Camillus. He is held in high esteem by those Roman citizens of noble birth and serves as their role model. Having returned his family unharmed to you from the Roman city, many within might emulate him. Roman nobles hold their family's honor dear and resist surrendering to enemies, seeing it as disgraceful. Thus, many may have followed Camillus's example, while others, even with differing thoughts, temporarily imitated him. Furthermore, our subsequent assault was so swift that the defenders, fully engaged, could not contemplate surrendering." "Camillus is indeed a remarkable Roman! Both in conduct and strategy, he's beyond reproach. Despite his age, he's adept at learning; you see how his defenses below the city were inspired by us, with improvements that caused us significant trouble! It's unfortunate, though, as per reports from the Tusculans, he has been paralyzed, struggling even to speak, and is unlikely to live much longer..." Davos lamented. Listening to Davos, the legion commanders felt a mix of feelings, while Sextus showed a trace of sorrow on his face. Not dwelling on this topic, Davos addressed Sextus again, "We are in early August, harvest season is nearing. Usually, Dionysians' grain reserves deplete, waiting for the new harvest. I'd assume the Latins face the same. Camillus's retreat to Satricum was hasty, and even if there's a grain stockpile, it likely isn't enough. Providing for thousands of soldiers may not last long. By then, having families urge surrender daily, do you think those fatigued, starving Roman soldiers would continue to uphold their esteemed honor?" Sextus pondered briefly and candidly answered, "I suspect many would not." "Indeed, they wouldn't. Empty stomachs are a worse agony than death," Davos declared, eyes alight. "Once a few begin openly surrendering, it'll influence others, causing the Roman garrison's morale to rapidly decline until it eventually collapses... Sometimes, bringing down an enemy with subtlety is more effective than head-on confrontation." "Your Majesty is correct. Not forcing a direct attack may indeed facilitate the capture of Satricum, with significantly reduced casualties!" Tolmides promptly praised, acknowledging. Several other legion commanders echoed their agreement, though Amintas remained silent, harboring some reservations. Davos noticed but wasn't overly concerned. When Martius entered the tent, he inquired, "What news?" "Your Majesty, a messenger from Mithridates has arrived." "Let him in." The messenger from the Third Fleet respectfully saluted King Davos, then announced excitedly, "Your Majesty, our Third Fleet captured Alalia in Corsica yesterday!" Everyone in the tent was taken aback. Alalia is the largest city-state in Corsica, comparable in size to Ardea and Antium, and with just 6,000 fleet infantry and no heavy infantry, the Third Fleet managed to capture it in such a short time?! "How did you manage to take Alalia?" Davos asked, intrigued, as the other commanders leaned in eagerly to listen. The messenger eagerly recounted the entire process of capturing Alalia. "Listening to subordinates' advice, executing plans meticulously—Mithridates did an outstanding job!" Davos praised loudly. "He's proving to be an excellent commander, formulating effective strategies based on the enemy's situation rather than charging blindly, ensuring small casualties alongside victory. From this, Mithridates is indeed a commendable leader! And the fleet infantry officer is called... called..." "Mneantiades," Tolmides promptly whispered. "Mneantiades, yes, I've remembered. He did exceptionally well too!" Davos earnestly praised. The legion commanders offered their congratulations for the victory, though their expressions were mixed—after all, the navy's independent success in seizing a city-state was notable. Amintas, on the other hand, felt reminded by Davos’s previous advice. "Your Majesty, Mithridates seeks your consent to advance southward and attack the Phoenician settlements in Sardinia," the messenger quickly interjected, seizing the opportunity. "Relay to Mithridates that I've previously stated he could determine his assault targets based on his circumstances," Davos replied with good humor, smiling. "Now that he's taken Alalia, establishing a firm foothold in the Tyrrhenian Sea, he certainly can choose his targets wisely. But remind him to think thoroughly, as he did with Alalia, to minimize troop casualties." "I'll convey that, Your Majesty." After the messenger left, Davos surveyed the room, filled with vigor, and proclaimed, "Everyone, Alexius has captured Comum and Beneventum. The Caudini were thoroughly defeated, and tribes of the Hirpini have successively submitted to us. The Caraceni and Pentri have withdrawn to the mountains, unable to fight back. The Samnite conflict is nearing its conclusion. Here in Latium, virtually all of the Latin city-states have capitulated, with surrounding powers expressing goodwill. Asistates has governed Rome well, maintaining stability. With the autumn harvest near, Roman citizens will reap benefits again, bolstering their support for Dionysia, which will significantly improve the kingdom’s army’s grain supply. Moments ago, the Third Fleet delivered more good news. Carthaginian forces in Corsica have been eradicated, and they are preparing to advance into Sardinia. With these developments, Dionysia's war efforts north of Rhegium have stabilized; on every front, we're either holding a significant advantage or nearing victory. Given the favorable state of our military campaigns, the Carthaginian army's landing in Sicily is, in my view, not a setback but an opportunity. Our Sicilian fleet maintains naval superiority, with strong commanders like Plesios and Cyprus who can withstand Carthaginian offensives and wear down their momentum over time. Once we've concluded the Roman conflict, we can consolidate our forces and move into Sicily to decimate the Carthaginian army. By then, I doubt Carthage will be capable of dispatching another massive force!" Davos's words stirred great excitement among the leaders. --- On the third day of Leotychides’s arrival in Gela, he prepared to march out and confront the enemy, unable to wait for Pacinus's reinforcements. But why such urgency? (End of the chapter)