Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

During the fierce siege, the third fleet led by Midolades sailed to the mouth of the Tiber River and approached the port of Ostia.

The Romans had long blocked the port of Ostia with iron chains, and the archers in the anti-Botti tower tried to fire rockets at warships approaching the port as a deterrent.

The third fleet bypassed the port, and the warships docked on the south bank of the Tiber River.

The city of Ostia resembles a rectangle. Its long west side is along the coast and has a city wall. If Dionysia wants to attack from this direction, he can only pass through the sea. It is too difficult, so the Dionyan army Focus on the east and south, while the short side north of Ostia is the port.

Why didn't Ostia build a city along the banks of the Taipei River?It stands to reason that this is more conducive to the life of the people in the city, whether it is to go to the fields to work, or to take water is very convenient, that is because there is a large lagoon directly to the east of the port. The water of the Bohe River surged and overflowed the river bank. This oval lake, which is about 300 meters long from north to south and more than 200 meters long from east to west, has already become a part of the city of Ostia, and even the Ostia people specialize in the lakeside of the city. There will be enough tidal flats so that when the Taipei River soars and connects to the lagoon, it will not flood the houses.

Since the battle with Dionia, although the senate has not been too worried about the safety of Ostia, he has followed the advice of the Carthaginians and built a place in the lagoon closest to the bank of the Tiber River. The long breakwater is mainly to prevent the Dionysians from pushing the warship across the river bank of only a few meters, intruding into the city through the lagoon. This is just a plan for the Carthage.

But this time, the Dionysian fleet really came, and their warship sailed east along the river bank. After bypassing this newly built breakwater, the warships stopped at the south bank of the Taipo River, and the fleet infantry came down. When the ship arrived, each person carried a large wooden board. At the command of the team officers, 2,800 fleet infantry were assembled (the third fleet had 70 crow warships).

After quickly advancing a few hundred meters, they came to the lake, put the wooden boards in the water, put helmets, wooden shields, leather armor and short swords on them, wearing only leather armor and leather sandals, and then held them with both hands On both sides of the board, the whole body floated on the water, relying on the legs as a paddle, and continued to draw water to advance.The armed crossing of the lake within a mile is a very easy task for fleet infantry who are proficient in water and have strict training in this area.

When some people in the city of Ostia suddenly found that the lagoon they used to drink water and swim in was full of enemies and quickly swam towards the city, they cried in horror, hoping that the soldiers could stop them from going ashore.

But the vanguard of the Fleet Infantry had landed. They quickly put on their helmets and picked up wooden shields and daggers.The wet and muddy mudflats are more difficult to walk, but it is not difficult for these fleet infantry who are mostly fishermen and have been playing on the banks of the seaside since childhood. They not only travel freely, but also gradually form a team as they travel. shape.

By the time the defending general got the news, the infantry of the fleet had basically landed, and the city was already in chaos.

Although the offensive of the Diorian army made the defense of the city head tight, the Roman general also had to squeeze out a little force to the city to block the advance of the infantry of the fleet and avoid being hit by both sides.But in fact, this is just drinking thirst to quench thirst.

The scout, which had been observing the movement of the defending army, quickly paid back the changes of the enemy at the head of the city to King Davers. He did not hesitate to let the rejuvenated Fourth Army immediately join the siege team, which became a pressure. The last straw of the dead camel.

At dusk, the Dionysian army captured Ostia.

………………………………………

At the same time, the rush of horseshoes broke through the quiet city of Rome at dusk, and the courier shouted all the way on the war horse: "Urgent military situation! Urgent military situation..." so that the people on the street can make evasion in advance To avoid accidental injury.

This naturally caused a lot of doubts and panic among the Roman people: "What happened?! Did Camilus fail?"

"Don't talk nonsense, how could Camulus fail! I think it must be our army that captured the city of Philentium!"

"If it is a victory, the courier just announced to us long ago, and there is no need to rush to the Senate."

...

Just as the Roman people had a lot of discussion, the messenger rode through the square and pushed open the door of the senate.

At this time, the Roman veterans were about to leave the venue and go home to rest. They were shocked when they 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 is to listen to the progress of the Roman army’s war against the Helnikians. Just when they were eager to receive the news of the final victory, they didn’t expect Dionys to hear it first. The Asians attacked them.

Don’t the Dionysians now fight Carthage in Sicily?!Are they defending against the invasion of the Samone?!... The first reaction of many Roman elders when they heard the news was unbelievable.

Compared with the shock of most veterans, Portitus still seemed calm, he asked aloud: "Where did the Dionysian army land, are you sure?"

The messenger replied: "General Paulus decently scouts along the coast, I believe there will be news in return soon."

Portitus meditated and said to himself: "Adi? Impossible, it is too close to Antium, our army can easily destroy the landing of the Dionys... The coast of Lavinim, it is possible, There aren’t many citizen soldiers in this small town..."

Before he finished speaking, Abinius shouted loudly: "Ostia is not far from Lavinim!"

"Ostia! The target of Dionia's attack is probably Ostia!!..." There was a cry of exclamation in the meeting place. The elders of Rome were not the generation of wine bags, most of them before they became elders. Having participated in many city-state affairs and foreign wars, they can of course realize how much loss to Ostia would be to Rome, and how much help Ostia had to the Dionysians.

"There are 3,000 defenders in the city of Ostia, and after discovering anomalies, Paulus, Mejus, and Pantius, they will assemble the army and rush to block. The situation should not be so bad." Lukritti Uz comforted everyone.

"The previous battle has told us that the Dionysian soldiers are very powerful, and listening to the report of the messenger just now, the number of troops that the Dionysians are about to land may be more than the number of soldiers we sent to the west border. Too much, plus the 10,000 Dionysian reinforcements who were originally in Walsey, also rushed to help them land. We must have the worst preparations. Paulus, they may be unable to prevent each other from landing. Stia is likely to be attacked by the other party!" cautious Potitus reminded loudly.

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

His words were immediately answered by many elders.Yes, they not only misjudged the situation, but the Dionians boldly led the army to attack from the sea again, bypassing the towns defended by the Roman heavy soldiers, and raided their empty hinterland, let them set the southwest defense strategy They all turned to useless work, and of course they didn’t want Dionia to seize Ostia again, which would make their remorse inevitable.

"Now I am afraid that the army led by Paulus has already engaged in Dionysia. What is the situation? I believe we can get the news at night." Ambustus reminded everyone not to spend any more energy to blindly guess. The voice said: "All we have to do now is send someone to notify Camulus!"

"I disagree with your opinion. The sky outside is dark now, it is difficult to ride in the dark night, and the terrain of the Tullerus Valley is undulating, not to mention the remnants of the Helnikians wandering in the wild. People went to inform Camillus that they probably lost their lives before seeing him. Losing their lives is still a trivial matter, if they fall into the hands of the Helnikians and their allies, they will learn about Dionia The news of the massive invasion of the people will greatly encourage their morale and cause trouble for Camulus to lead the army to retreat in the future."Publius Cornelius Sipiah immediately objected.

Many veterans thought he was right.

At this time, a voice sounded loudly on the venue: "No matter how difficult it is, tonight must send someone to notify Camulus to let him return the army as soon as possible!" Bottus said firmly, he looked around the venue The expressions in the crowd are very dignified: "You veterans and newcomers, I just thought of a very serious problem. In my decades of career, war has always been as elusive as the divine temperament. When you think the situation will be When it’s bad, the facts will get worse! We have to consider the possibility that the Dionysian army will attack our city of Rome tomorrow!"

There was another uproar in the venue.

Even though the Dionysians risked bypassing the Roman defenses on the land and assaulting the colonial city of Ostia, did they have the courage to stand deep and invade the interior of the Latium region?!With all enemies around, attack the city of Rome?!!Although many elders were shocked by Portitus' speculation, they were completely skeptical: first an Ostia would spend a lot of their time!