Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 900: Pressing towards Gela

Bomilcar inquired with a jolt, “We are not going to take Selinus first?”

Despite Mago's aged face flushing, he still responded with gravity, “Following our recent skirmishes over the preceding days, I trust you comprehend that the Theonians have not only reinforced Selinus's defenses but have also positioned their primary contingent within the city, maintaining high spirits. Consequently, even though our numbers vastly surpass theirs, we would require considerable time merely to secure the city, a luxury we do not possess!”

It was only then that Bomilcar recalled Mago's commitment to the Senate. Thus, he ceased his hesitation and promptly voiced his readiness to command the forces.

Mago gave a smile and stated, “You shall command a force of fifty thousand men in total: ten thousand Carthaginian warriors, fifteen thousand soldiers from our Phoenician confederates, and twenty-five thousand Numidian recruits. This amounts to ten thousand more than when Muntebaal embarked on his assault on Minoa! My expectation is that you will lead this army to Minoa by tomorrow and avoid repeating Muntebaal's misstep. Capture Minoa with all due haste!”

Instead of showing elation at leading such a formidable army, Bomilcar voiced his apprehension, “Lord Mago, if we proceed with this strategy, you will be left with a meager number of troops. What if the Theonians decide to sortie from the city again-”

Though Bomilcar did not articulate his full concerns, his worries were evident. He reasoned that if he followed Mago's directive and marched away with the army, Mago would be left with fewer than twenty thousand Iberian soldiers. Furthermore, this remaining force comprised various ethnicities, and despite their potential strength, they were notoriously difficult to manage and lacked unwavering loyalty. While he also had nearly ten thousand allied soldiers from western Sicily, their training was insufficient, rendering them more suitable for logistical duties like supplying and constructing fortifications rather than direct engagement. Adding to this were nearly ten thousand Numidian soldiers who had survived the previous Theonian assault on their encampment. The recent attack had clearly unsettled these dark-skinned Numidians. To prevent their fear from impacting overall morale, Mago had intentionally separated them and dedicated the past few days to their training, even intending to dispatch them to Lilybaeum to bolster the garrison.

Mago, however, displayed no concern, replying with confidence, “Should the Theonians act as you describe, it would be precisely what I have been anticipating.”

Bomilcar finally relented and accepted the directive. In truth, Mago would have compelled his agreement even if he had remained resistant, as he had unceremoniously replaced numerous Carthaginian commanders with trusted officers from the Iberian ranks. This move had not only caused disquiet among the Carthaginian soldiery but had also drawn sharp rebukes from the Senate upon their return to Carthage. The Hanno faction had gone as far as to condemn Mago's actions, alleging his intent to convert the entire army into the Magonid family's private force, thereby paving the way for his dictatorial rule.

Consequently, Mago requested the impartial elder, Bomilcar, to assume temporary command of the Carthaginian forces, aiming to pacify the soldiers and placate the council of elders.

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On the following day, Bomilcar led his contingent out of the encampment, proceeding eastward along the coastline.

With Mago making no secret of this military maneuver, Leotychides observed the substantial mobilization of the Carthaginian forces within their camp. He grew uneasy, accurately deducing the purpose behind the Carthaginian army's departure. Despite contemplating the opportune moment to lead his entire contingent out of the city to confront the Carthaginian remnants still within the camp, the preceding night's raid had served as a stark warning to the Carthaginians. That they still dared to execute such a mobilization could only signify their preparedness.

As Leotychides commanded the sole army of the Theonian realm in Sicily, he could only commit to an engagement when the probability of success was high, particularly in circumstances where the enemy held numerical superiority. Thus, he anxiously awaited the arrival of the fleet at Catania.

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Hasdrubal granted his soldiers permission to pillage and decimate the entirety of Agrigento, partly as a tribute to his father, Himilco (who had also led the army that conquered Agrigento), and to provide his soldiers with an outlet for their frustrations and a reward for their arduous march through the mountains and fierce combat. Additionally, this action served to secure a substantial quantity of provisions.

Both objectives were now met. Although Agrigento's terrain was predominantly mountainous and not renowned for its agriculture, the city was recognized as a hub for livestock. Consequently, Hasdrubal procured sufficient livestock to sustain an army of twenty thousand for a fortnight.

Following a day of rest, Hasdrubal assigned a thousand men to maintain the garrison at Agrigento. He then set forth eastward along the coast with sixteen thousand troops, targeting Gela concurrently with Bomilcar's advance toward Minoa.

The army had to traverse the town of Inycum on its onward journey. It begs the question: why did Leotychides not deploy reinforcements there beforehand? And why did Hasdrubal not target Inycum? As a minor Greek settlement, only slightly larger than Thermae, its feeble ramparts were designed merely to deter wild animals, offering no real defense against an enemy force. Leotychides held no high hopes for its resilience, and Hasdrubal considered it no significant obstacle. (Note: Historically, it wasn't until a century later that the tyrant of Agrigento constructed a new city upon the Inycum cape. Several decades after that, near this very location, the largest naval engagement in ancient Western history unfolded during the First Punic War. Carthage and Rome collectively deployed six hundred eighty warships, manned by approximately two hundred ninety thousand sailors and soldiers. Rome ultimately emerged victorious.)

Indeed, as Hasdrubal guided his forces to its vicinity, the inhabitants of Inycum had already taken flight, abandoning their homes. This left the city deserted and allowed the Carthaginian army to proceed without hindrance.

Following a night's rest, their march continued eastward the ensuing day, reaching the domain of Gela by midday.

The city of Gela boasts a lengthy historical background. Its founding occurred roughly five years after Syracuse, established by colonists hailing from the islands of Rhodes and Crete. They bestowed upon it the name Gela, inspired by the river that meandered through its lands.

Due to considerable soil erosion originating from the mountainous headwaters of the Gela River, a fertile plain was formed within Gela's territory. Over the ensuing decades, the populace of Gela skillfully reclaimed the marshlands, propelling the city towards great prosperity. Agrigento was only just being established during this era, while Syracuse remained confined to the island of Ortigia. A century prior, the formidable tyrant of Gela, Hippocrates, alongside his successor Gelon, initiated a westward campaign of expansion. Their conquests eventually brought the Greek colonial cities in Eastern Sicily, such as Messina and Kamarina, under Gela's dominion. Perceiving Syracuse's advantageous position, Gelon opted for a relocation there, entrusting his brother Hieron with the governance of Gela. He also facilitated the transfer of half of Gela's populace to Syracuse, thereby catalyzing its burgeoning fortune. Following Gelon's demise, Hieron too relocated to Syracuse, marking the commencement of Gela's decline from its status as Sicily's preeminent Greek city-state. Notwithstanding this shift, Gela maintained a close accord with Syracuse.

The initial confrontation between Gela and Syracuse erupted a little over twenty years past. It commenced when the Carthaginian commander Himilco advanced with a substantial army toward Syracuse, seizing Agrigento before laying siege to Gela. Though Dionysius pledged reinforcements, they never materialized, leading to Gela's eventual capitulation. Hostilities intensified as Syracuse ascended to become the dominant power among Sicily's Greek city-states, and Dionysius began to severely exploit and oppress its allies, Gela included. Despite the populace's discontent in Gela, their fear of Dionysius's formidable military strength compelled them into obedience.

When the Theonians achieved victory over Syracuse, the people of Gela expressed gratitude toward Theonia. However, they also harbored apprehension regarding the simultaneous influx of outsiders into Sicily. Consequently, it took Theonia a full decade of cultivating amicable relations with neighboring Sicilian states before the people of Gela finally set aside their reservations. During the conflict between Theonia and Carthage, Gela actively lent its support through material aid and the deployment of troops.

Now, with the Carthaginian forces advancing upon their city, the inhabitants of Gela find themselves in a state of heightened anxiety. This development has also engendered concern in Syracuse and Catania, as Gela's proximity to them, compared to conflicts in the west, has captured the public's attention.

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“Commander, Chaeris has arrived,” Muklu announced to Leotychides.

“Permit him entry.”

A middle-aged officer, his helmet adorned with a distinctive purple plume, entered the lord's mansion hall with purpose.

This was Chaeris, a native of Catania. Following Dionysius's seizure of Catania, Chaeris sought refuge in a mountain settlement for a period. He later discreetly returned to the port of Catania, earning his livelihood through manual labor. Known for his courage in the face of intimidation, he consistently aided the vulnerable and dispensed justice fairly, earning considerable respect among the exiled and free citizens of the Catania port. During the South-Italian War, he provided crucial assistance to Antrapolis, who was operating covertly within Catania's harbor, and even rallied the freemen to become a cornerstone of the subsequent revolt in Catania. Upon the successful liberation of Catania, he further led his contingent to support the First Legion in pursuit of Macias's fleeing forces.