Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Why?The reason is very simple. The Romans, led by Roman elders and nobles, retreated to Mount Capitolin. Although the Dionysian army only blocked them and did not attack them, they often sent people to shout at the mountain, such as "You expedition Helniki’s army sneaked into the city of Rome and was repulsed... Keslera and the city of Vieira were captured... The Roman army led by Camulus was defeated in Ostia..."

At first, only a few Latins were yelling. Later, many Roman civilians familiar with the mountain people joined the team. They will add something else to the yelling: For example, "We have lived in the original Your comfortable house... We own the land that originally belonged to you..."

Although the elders have repeatedly avoided: "These are lies, they are the tricks of the Dionysians, want to create chaos among us!..."

However, the people on the mountain listened to the shouting from the mountain, and during the day they could see many people wearing Roman civilian costumes on the square seemingly cordially talking with the Dionyan soldiers in black helmets and black armor, and then holding the big one by one. It's inevitable that you will leave things in small packages (actually, the Roman civilians applied to become Dionysian citizens and to receive food rations in the square every day).Coupled with the predicament on the mountain, some confusion occurred.

Therefore, the elders finally ordered to block this cliff with a clear view of the square.

Hundreds of Roman veterans who had just sat on the cliff top overlooking the square triumphantly sat in the dimly lit apse of the Temple of Jupiter, and the atmosphere seemed a bit depressed.

"Cough! Cough!......" Portitus's coughing sound was particularly clear in this quiet space, which attracted everyone to focus on him, but he really coughed because of his weakness, and did not think about it. The desire to speak first.

It took a while for Ambustos, the manager of the Capitolin Hill, who was temporarily appointed by the Senate, to break the silence: "Fathers and newcomers, I want to remind you that although people cannot see the square today Situation, but they can hear the shouts in the square, I think this will cause them a lot of trouble, so I hope everyone will take care of their families and diners after going back! You must also be vigilant, Sipiah, Let the soldiers pay attention to maintaining order!"

"I've sent more soldiers, so don't worry." Big Sibia responded.

"Hey!" Apleus suddenly shouted and saw everyone staring at him in amazement. He stood up and shouted loudly: "We have been up the mountain for almost ten days! Ten days! Why haven't we seen Our army came to attack the city?! Is it true that, as the Dionians said, Camulus' army has been defeated by the Ionians?!"

Many veterans heard this and unconsciously shook their bodies. This is exactly what they feared to mention.

"Cough... There are 70,000 troops outside the city, and they are the commander of Camillus, and there are so many Latin allies and colonial cities to support, how can they suffer a fiasco!" Portitus tried to comfort everyone.

Since going up the mountain, in order to unite and fight against the enemy, Aprieus has been warned by Maru Guinnessis, "Don’t slam the dictator in a crisis and cause unnecessary panic." But the long-term pressure caused Apu Leus finally broke out again: "If Camulus's army did not fail, then where are they?! Could it be that they ran away?"

Marugine Ensis shouted immediately: "Don't talk nonsense! Don't believe the rumor that the enemy said, "Our army was defeated in Ostia", but this rumor also told us a message, Kami Luce may lead the army to attack Ostia!"

The veterans with rich experience of war headed by Portitus, Marugine Ensis and Great Sipiah have certainly made reasonable guesses about the reasons why Camulus has not been attacking the city for a long time. All accepted this explanation.

But at the moment, Aplius was still unwilling: "Why attack Ostia instead of attacking Rome directly?! Is Camillus confused, thinking that we Romans all live in Ostia Is that small town?"

"The city of Rome is thick and heavily guarded. It is not as good as Ostia’s attack. Camulus probably wanted to attack Ostia and consume the Dionysian forces to block them inland. , Forcing them out of the city for a decisive battle, or opting for a truce... Apulius, I have explained these words once yesterday, don’t let me say the second time!" Maru Guinnesse's sharp eyes looked directly at Apu Leus, the one-handed person suddenly began to become a little disobedient, which made his eyes angry.

Appreus stopped talking eloquently.

However, some people raised doubts: "Camilus' attack on Ostia may be the right strategy, but we all heard what the enemy said,'Vai and Keslera have been captured by them.' Yesterday they He also said,'Sulwater and Xhosa also surrendered to them, and even our Etruscans allied with them.'... If these are true, even if Osti is recaptured Ya, I'm afraid it won't do much."

This remark immediately caused the veterans to whisper.

Maruginenes said that the person speaking was Lucritius. Although he secretly hated the old guy who would not open the pot, he publicly put a topic that everyone was very worried about on the bright side, right? Feeling dizzy?!But for an old man who has been in the senate for decades, he was still worried, so he said perfunctoryly: "I said this is a lie of the enemy, we don't need to believe it."

"Why not send someone to dive down to investigate? Just like Pantius in those days! If we can be sure that these are the lies of the enemy, we and the people will be at ease."

Maruguine Ensis finally couldn't help it and said angrily: "Lukritius, you are sleeping except Jupiter every day. Have you ever seriously participated in meetings or participated in any affairs? !Sepia told him, what have we done?!"

"So far, we have sent five warriors to dive down the mountain to find out the news, but we haven't seen any return yet." Sipia solemnly said: "When the Celts occupied Rome, their discipline was relaxed, and they The Pitolin Mountain blockade is not tight, and the Dionys...you can see from the camp they built under the mountain that it is very difficult to sneak in.

"Okay, Camillus, as the dictator of Rome, he will do his best to repel the Dionysians, just like he defeated the Celtics!" In order to avoid Lucritus too embarrassing Provoking an argument, Ambustus interjected: "Let’s take care of the important issues related to us first! Our food is only enough for 20 days. If Camulus fails to recapture the city of Rome within 20 days, we I'm going to be hungry.

There is also drinking water. Although there is a small spring in the mountainside not far from the Juno Temple, it is not enough for more than 5,000 people to drink. Fortunately, just after the rainy season, there have been several rains and a few in the ten days. There is still a lot of water in the temple, but if it doesn’t rain for five or six days, it will be very difficult for everyone to drink enough water...

There is also the disease. We went up the mountain in a hurry and did not bring many herbs. The people were crowded on the mountain. They could not eat well, sleep well, and were in a bad mood. Some people were sick and could not get good treatment. , Always unable to heal..."

Ambustus' words made the veterans look more worried.

"Alas!" Portitus sighed: "I think when the Celts invaded, we had only a few hundred people when we retreated here, but now the number of people is more than ten times that time, and the natural consumption of materials is also Much more..."

"Are we going to drive too many people off Capitoline Hill?" a veteran asked anxiously.

This remark made an uproar in the temple.

Ambustus said quickly: "We don't need to do this! I mean... we must strictly control the consumption of food and water, and prevent the occurrence of epidemics in order to stay on the mountain for a longer period of time. Camerus led the soldiers to repel the Dionysians and recapture Rome..."

Before the elders began to discuss, a person stood up in the crowd, and he said aloud: "Dear fathers and newcomers, I have doubts about whether Camillus can regain Rome! Just now the triumph of the Dionysians As you have all seen, so many Roman civilians have joined their triumphant celebrations. What does that mean?! Roman civilians are betraying us and supporting the invading Dionysians! With the support of those civilians, Dai The Onia had more soldiers defending Rome, and Camulus led the army to be able to—"

"Nonsense!" Marugine Ensis shouted and stared fiercely at the man who was talking: "Aplius, are you crazy?!"

Aprius was also out at the moment: "I am not crazy, my mind is clear, you are also very clear, but all are escaping! When Rome fell, so many people were trapped in the city for the first few days. We can still see and hear the sound of fighting in the city, and even fire and smoke... But now! How many days have we not heard the sound of fighting, but the square is getting more and more lively, I am afraid The Dionysians are completely—"

"Guards! Guards! Hold me down and lock them up!" Maru Guinness shouted angrily.

Da Sipiah hesitated, after all, it violated the regulations of the senate, but after seeing many highly respected veterans such as Portitus, Ambustus, Lucritius, he nodded, and he immediately called The guard.