Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 903: The Final Battle of Latium

Davos appeared to recall something and turned his gaze to his son, who was standing. “Croto, I have a mission for you. Take a few staff officers to the reserve brigade’s camp. Do everything you can to teach the soldiers how to play rugby and football so they can perform on the field. I will instruct Tolmides to postpone the reserve team's match for as long as possible…”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will teach them in the shortest possible time!” Crotokatax answered earnestly. He then couldn’t help but inquire, “May I participate in the games with them?”

“You’ll need to get your uncle Matonis’s approval,” Davos chuckled, looking back at Matonis.

Faced with Crotokatax's eager expression, Matonis relented. “Well… that is certainly permissible.”

Following the day’s festivities in Rome, Sextus became acutely aware of Crotokatax's identity as King Davos's son. Observing how highly Davos regarded the Roman reserves, he naturally extended a warm welcome to Crotokatax.

“Your Majesty, while we may not attack Satricum, what about Antium and Viletrae?” Olivos prompted.

“The approach will remain the same. Dispatch the cavalry to monitor them and await the conclusion of the rugby and football matches.” Even as he said this, Davos was already formulating a new strategy. He intended to redirect his next offensive towards Antium, as the city possessed fewer defenders and its status as a port city would facilitate the naval transport of military supplies. Simultaneously, this move would also exert pressure on the defenders of Satricum.

“Your Majesty, the Carthaginian army has disembarked in Sicily. However, the circumstances differ from before, and our forces in Sicily will confront a formidable threat. Should we not conclude the war in Latium swiftly and hasten to the aid of our Sicilian contingents?!” Amintas exclaimed, his tone carrying a distinct edge of urgency.

Davos regarded him, his expression growing somber. “As I have just stated, soldiers, like us all, are mortals. They require adequate rest and diversion to alleviate the despair and exhaustion stemming from warfare. You may return to observe your First Legion and compare its current state to when you first arrived in Volsci. Note how many new faces you see and how they have changed! Do you not feel a twinge of guilt? You mentioned the Carthaginian army posed a threat to Sicily, and indeed, we could assault Satricum and end the Latium campaign by sacrificing countless soldiers. But do you truly believe we could prevail against the Carthaginian forces with such an impaired army?”

Though Davos’s voice was not raised, a palpable anger permeated his words. It was as if a biting wind had swept through the command tent, sending a shiver down the spines of nearly everyone present.

Amintas felt a surge of shame, yet he remained silent, not daring to speak further.

Noticing this, Davos offered a subtle smile, his tone softening as he continued. “Our decision not to storm Satricum does not imply abandonment. We shall persist in advancing towards the city, clearing the defensive traps beneath its ramparts, and intensifying our encirclement. The ballistae will maintain their daily bombardment of the walls, and we will hurl flaming projectiles into the city. Furthermore, we will expedite the construction of the siege tower, enabling our light infantry to engage the Roman soldiers on the ramparts from a distance… In essence, we shall keep the Roman defenders in a perpetual state of tension and fatigue!”

As Davos spoke, his gaze abruptly fell upon Sextus, who was positioned in a far corner. “Sextus,” he inquired softly, “prior to our siege of Satricum, we had emissaries from Rome, their loved ones, descend from Mons Capitolinus to urge their surrender. Yet, why did this effort prove so ineffective?”

The assembly turned their attention to the Roman general. The young Sextus, however, betrayed no nervousness despite his background. “I believe,” he stated, his expression a mixture of contemplation and complexity, “that this might be linked to Camillus. These Roman citizens, hailing from noble families, held Camillus in high esteem; he was a figure they looked up to. When he sent his own family back, whom you, Your Majesty, had granted him passage, the soldiers followed suit. The Roman nobles, in turn, are driven to protect their clan’s honor and secure glory for their lineage. Thus, in the past… surrender would have been deemed a profound disgrace. Likely, quite a number emulated Camillus’s example, while others, harboring different sentiments, merely followed the prevailing trend temporarily… However, our subsequent assault occurred too swiftly, compelling the defenders to resist with every ounce of their strength. Consequently, any clandestine desertions from the city ceased.”

“Camillus is an astonishing Roman! No matter what he does or doesn't do, it's impossible to find fault with him. Furthermore, he's still receptive to new knowledge at his age. As you've seen, the defenses he established within the city are precisely what he learned from us, and he even implemented improvements that caused us considerable difficulty! Regrettably, according to reports from the people of Tusculum, he has become paralyzed in all four limbs and struggles even with speech, suggesting he won't survive much longer...” Davos stated with a heavy sigh.

The legates grew somewhat displeased upon hearing this, while Sextus naturally displayed a touch of sorrow.

Without dwelling on the topic, Davos turned his attention to Sextus and remarked, “It is now early August. By this time, the food stores in the homes of the Theonians are dwindling, awaiting the new harvest, and I imagine the people of Latium are in a similar predicament. With Camillus leading the army in a hasty retreat to Satricum, even with their grain reserves, I doubt they possess enough to sustain tens of thousands of soldiers for long. We could then have their family members approach the city daily, urging them to surrender. Do you believe those exhausted, starving, and anxious Roman soldiers will still be able to uphold the honor they hold so dear?”

After careful deliberation, Sextus candidly replied, “I believe a significant number will be unable to do so.”

“Indeed, they will falter. After all, starvation is a far more agonizing fate than death,” Davos declared, his voice rising slightly. “Should even a small contingent choose to abandon Satricum and surrender, it will inevitably impact the remaining Roman defenders. Their morale will plummet rapidly until it ultimately collapses… sometimes, subtly influencing people yields better results than confronting them directly.”

“His Majesty speaks wisely! Instead of a forceful assault, employing such a strategy will allow us to capture Satricum with greater ease and significantly minimize our casualties!” Tolmides immediately offered his praise.

Several delegates voiced their concurrence one after another, with the exception of Amintas, who remained silent and clearly somewhat disapproving.

Davos paid him little mind, suddenly noticing Martius entering the command tent, prompting him to inquire, “What is the matter?”

“Your Majesty, navarch Mithridates has dispatched a messenger.”

“Admit him.”

After offering a respectful bow to King Davos, the messenger from the Third Fleet excitedly proclaimed, “Your Majesty, our Third Fleet successfully captured Aleria in Corsica yesterday!”

This news caused a stir among those in the tent. After all, they were aware that Aleria was the most prominent city-state in Corsica, rivaling Ardea and Antium in size. How could the Third Fleet, with only six thousand marines and no heavy infantry, have achieved such a swift victory?!

“How did you manage to capture Aleria?” Davos inquired, his curiosity piqued, and the others leaned in attentively.

The messenger proceeded to narrate the entire sequence of events leading to Aleria's capture.

“Mithridates' capacity to heed his subordinates' counsel and meticulously execute a well-devised plan is truly commendable!” Davos exclaimed in appreciation. “Developing an optimal strategy based on the strengths and weaknesses of both our forces and the enemy is crucial for achieving victory with minimal losses, rather than acting impulsively. In that regard, Mithridates has proven to be an outstanding commander! And the marine commander of the Third Fleet, named… named…”

“His name is Mneantiades,” Tolmides quickly prompted in a low voice.

“Mneantiades, yes, I shall make a note of it. He too is an excellent commander!” Davos added sincerely.

Several legates also extended their congratulations to the navy for this triumph. However, their expressions carried a hint of complexity, considering the navy had successfully taken a city-state without the direct involvement of any legionary infantry.

Amintas, on the other hand, perceived Davos's words as a subtle warning directed at him.

“Your Majesty, navarch Mithridates seeks your authorization to advance south and assault the Phoenician settlements in Sardinia,” the messenger, sensing Davos's good mood, seized the opportunity. “

“Inform Mithridates that we had previously discussed this, and he has the discretion to select his own invasion targets based on his circumstances…” Davos, in a jovial spirit, smiled. “Having captured Aleria and secured a foothold in the Tyrrhenian Sea, he is naturally empowered to choose his next objective. However, convey to him that, just as he did in the capture of Aleria, he must continue to employ his intellect and strive to minimize casualties among his men.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

With the messenger's departure, Davos surveyed the assembled individuals and declared with vigor, ‘Gentlemen, Alexius has successfully seized Caudium and Beneventum, effectively neutralizing the Caudinians. Consequently, the Hirpini tribes have capitulated sequentially, and while the Caraceni and Pentry have retreated into the mountains, they are now incapable of mounting a counteroffensive. The Samnite conflict approaches its conclusion.’

‘Here in Latium, nearly all the Latin city-states have submitted, and neighboring powers have extended overtures of friendship. Asistes has governed Rome with competence, ensuring its stability. By the time of the autumn grain harvest, the Roman populace will once again reap benefits, thereby solidifying their allegiance to Theonia. Furthermore, the military provisions for the entire army will experience a considerable improvement.’

‘Mere moments ago, the Third Fleet delivered further encouraging intelligence, reporting the expulsion of Carthaginian forces from Corsica and their impending landing in Sardinia... Thus, the northern conflict impacting Theonia has stabilized, with various battlefronts either presenting significant advantages or nearing their resolution.’

‘Therefore, the prospect of the Carthaginian army landing in Sicily once more is, in my estimation, not an unfavorable development but rather a positive one, given that the overall war situation decisively favors us. Our fleet in Sicily enjoys a naval advantage, and both Prosous and Siprus are sufficiently capable to hold the Carthaginians at bay for a duration, effectively stalemating and exhausting their forces. Upon concluding the Roman campaign, we shall amass a formidable army and advance swiftly to Sicily to annihilate the Carthaginian forces! By then, I have no doubt that Carthage will be incapable of raising another substantial army!’

Davos’ pronouncements ignited considerable enthusiasm among the assembled.. . . . . . . . . . . . .

On the third day following Leotychides’ arrival in Gela with his army, preparations were underway to march out and confront the enemy. The pressing urgency behind this decision, even before reinforcements could arrive, begs the question of his haste.