Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

"When the meeting is over, I'll send someone to start this matter." Cipros very simply agreed to come down and let Secrian thank him.

Cipros looked at Leotizides and said with a deep voice: "Now we don't need to worry too much about the problem at sea, but on land, how do we respond to the attack of the Carthage army?"

Leotizides did not hesitate, pointing to the map on the table and slowly telling the plan he had already thought about: "Now that Carthage and Syracuse collude, the friendly city-states on the south coast have all been occupied by them. It won’t take long for Carthage’s army to converge on the southeast corner and attack our southern border and the two allies of Leotini and Tonis.

This time, the Carthaginians have not attacked the North Coast. I think they will not attack the North Coast for the time being. This will disperse their troops, and the narrow terrain of the North Coast is not conducive to the forces. Unfolding, although the city-states there are smaller than the south-coast city-states, to take them one by one, the Carthaginians need to spend a lot of time. As long as we have enough troops in Millais, we can take Carthage for a long time. People are kept out of the territory.My biggest concern is the central part of Sicily—"

Leotizides pointed his right hand at the icon of the city of Enna on the map, Shen Sheng said: "There are many races in Carthage from Iberia that are good at fighting in the mountains, plus Tanikian with familiar terrain The tribe leads the way, and the Sikels are not opponents at all, so Kefaluoyitang is occupied by them, and now they are still besieging Enna. I decided not to support Enna and take the Sikel tribe willing to follow us back. --"

"Do you want to give up Enna?!" Sipros was shocked and solemnly reminded: "But there are more than half of the Sikel tribes gathered, I am afraid most of them do not want to leave their homes."

Cipros said this in a more euphemistic way. In fact, he knew very well that once the Dionysian army no longer reinforces Enna, the Sikhel tribes there might be all under the threat of the Carthaginians. Ki, this is because the measures taken by Dionia against the Sikers in the past ten years are different from the treatment of Samone.

For the Samoines, Dionysia maintains an alliance with this mountain race on the surface, but in fact, through trade, culture, and even religion, attracts and assimilates the various tribes of Samonet, especially in Abenirum. And the Naconia region, so that the Samone Tribal Alliance and the priesthood panic, and finally took the initiative to provoke war, which is actually what Davis hopes, because the expansion to the north is the Kingdom of Dionysia Strategic focus

As for Carthage, south of the Kingdom of Dionysian, in Davis’s original strategic vision, before the occupation of the entire Italian peninsula, Dionysian temporarily did not want to be hostile to it, and “keeping peace with Carthage” became The first task, so the Kingdom twice signed a peace agreement with Carthage.So for the Sikels between the two countries, although they have formed an alliance with Dionia, considering the attitude of the Carthaginians, the Sicilian territory of Dionysia is more drawn by trade. The Sikels, instead of resorting to more radical methods, avoid stimulating the Sikels to cause conflict and give Carthage a verbal explanation.

But after calming down the riots of the Tanikan tribe, the "Carthage secretly supported the Tanikan tribe" also came to light, and Davis changed his previous practice and began to strengthen the control of the Sikel people. The two Sikel towns of Hena and Herbita were merged into the kingdom, thereby cutting the Sikel region into two parts.The eastern region, dominated by Agilion and Kentripa, is adjacent to the Sicilian territory, so it has become a key area for Dionysia to assimilate and assimilate. The area is basically a tribe with close relations and friendly relations with Dionysia. .In the western region headed by Onna and Kefaluoitian, part of the Sikel tribe had little contact with Dionia, and some tribes were punished by Dionysia because they participated in the rebellion of the Tanikian tribe. In addition, a small number of tribes actively moved from the eastern region to Enna in the past two years, because their leaders could not bear Dionysia’s growing control of the eastern region.

Dionysia is not indifference to the western region of Sikel, but coordinates and resolves the conflicts among the tribes as an ally, restrains them with trade and aid, and uses their fighters to participate in the war. Way to control them.Some time ago, the Sikel forces that assisted the Eighth Army and participated in the battle mainly came from tribes in the western region.

Obviously, Dionia adopted a gradual cannibalization method, first focusing on assimilating and absorbing the Sikel tribes in the east, and then turning to the west.I just didn't expect that after only a few years, the war with Carthage broke out so quickly. At this time, the assimilation of the eastern region had just had some effect.

"I agree with Lord Proseus. The decision to abandon Enna is correct." Breru also stood up at this time, leaning over the map and saying, "Look, Enna is in the center of Sicily, away from Kay Faroition is closer and farther away from our sphere of influence. After the Carthaginians occupied Kefaloitian, Agrigento, and Gerald, the town became too prominent and was already in Surrounded by the Carthaginians.

We sent less reinforcements and did not play any role. Enna would still be easily captured by the Carthaginians.And if we send more reinforcements, it will weaken the defense force of other places. The Carthage can bypass Enna and attack other empty defensive towns. For example, send troops to go north from Jera and directly attack Hena... so , Simply, withdraw all the troops and tighten our fists!"Breru finished speaking and looked at Leotizides."

Leotizides did not look at him, but said to Cipros: "The next battle will be fierce. It is related to the safety of the Sicilian territory. Any small mistake will lead to a big failure. Nowadays , With the Carthaginians predominant, I doubt whether the Sikel tribe in the western region is still loyal to the kingdom. If we support En then, they suddenly rebel—"

Ciplos was silent for a moment and sighed: "Well, I agree with you, give up Enna, and withdraw to the eastern region with the tribe willing to follow us. So, what next?"

Leotizides said to Breru at this time: "Master Breru, how is your 7th Army holding the southern defense?"

"Are you referring to the line of defense from Palagonia to Taunis?" Breru was able to say so quickly because his legion is now stationed on Lake Leotini, just north of Leotini Newly built military barracks nearby, so I have some understanding there.

"Yes." Leotizides nodded and continued: "The Eighth Army will be stationed in Agilion, responsible for defending the western line of defense from Hena to Herbita."

Breru looked at the map again and found that the western defense zone was basically the towns and settlements of Sikel. He immediately thought that he had just arrived, he was completely unfamiliar with Sikel, and there was no prestige among them. It's hard to deter them, in case something goes wrong... And the defense line on the south is basically within the plains of Catania, and the two allies are Greek city-states, and have been attached to Dionysian for more than ten years, fighting It will be more convenient.

He deliberately pondered, and then said: "I basically agree with your defense plan, Lord Prosius, but from the current situation, the southern defense line may become the focus of the attack of the Carthage army. The Seventh Army has only more than 8,000 people. , There is a shortage of troops."

"Not only the southern line of defense, the two towns of Henna and Agilion may also be the focus of the Carthaginian attack." Leotizides clicked on the map and said: "The entire Sicilian territory can still at least be An additional 20,000 citizens will be mobilized to fight, and if any loss is too great, it will be replenished immediately."

"I remind you," Cipros interjected: "In another dozen days, it's autumn harvest! I hope you don't call out other citizens before this to ensure enough labor in the territory, as short as possible. The harvesting of farmland within a period of time will allow us to have sufficient supplies of military food in future wars."

"I don’t think soldiers will be called again in a short period of time. If the Carthaginians want to attack us, I think at least 10 days later, we can use our existing troops to support the autumn harvest, but be careful Carthage’s cavalry stormed the plains of Catania, causing damage to our farmland and villages..."

After Leotizides finished, Breru said seriously: "I have no problem, our 7th Legion will stick to the south defense line!"

"I have a question." Secrian said loudly: "What's the matter with Syracuse?! Is it certain that they have colluded with Carthage and participated in the war against our Dionysians?!"

"Syracuse does have a connection with Carthage, but it is still unclear whether they will declare war on Dionysia." Cipros said cautiously: "I once sent a messenger to Thira The Kuzza Council questioned, as can be judged from the answer of their chief general Ty Agnes, Syracuse wanted to take advantage of our war with Carthage, but for the time being did not want to completely with us She tears her face and becomes an accomplice of the Carthaginians, fighting on the front line, so it is better for us not to provoke the Syracuses now, as long as we take precautions against them, and concentrate on resisting the Carthaginians first."

Leotizides and Breru nodded and said: This is a safe approach.