Augustus Road

"Save the Motherland!" - the Roman high priest Scipio Nasca's slogan when he encouraged the senators to kill the Great Gracchus

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But the mob that besieged Cato the Younger in Masseria, in their frenzy of killing, were still stabbing Cato's body, which was slowly sliding down against the wall, until his intestines were dragged out. On the other side of the city, there was a loud killing sound, and the roar of cannons. It became clear that the end of the city was coming, and many people howled and cried in despair. At this time, Merisus bravely stood up and said: "Yes, this It is a civil war among the Romans, but I will still bravely send Cato's head out, and then I will accept any punishment calmly for the crime of killing Roman citizens. I hope that the fire of Masseria can continue, Blessings of the Immortal God - I hope we can meet again someday!"

The people around were crying loudly. They admired Melissus's bravery and were frightened by the tragedy of the city being slaughtered. However, Melissus still held the severed head of Cato with a determined expression. Side by side with the panic-stricken Triali, we crossed the stone bridge over the mountain stream between the market and the Acropolis, and walked towards the battle formation filled with flames. The chapters are updated the fastest

By this time, the remaining towers and walls of the Acropolis had been completely destroyed by the saturated bombardment of stone bombs. In front of the gap, there is a large group of Ligurian Servants. They are still wearing the attire of the Alliance War era, Greek-style linen short skirts and plate armor, assorted helmets, and the opposing shield wall. The soldiers behind are carefully pulling it with their hands. Wear the back belt of the comrade in front. Slowly advance towards the gap. At this time, the stone-throwing equipment of the blockade behind was signaled by the flag of the Ligurian general Itassos. Stopped the fire tilt - after a while. The Ligurian forward troops shouted in unison, lowered their small shields, and rushed in at once!

Itasos led everyone deeper into the ruins, and there were ruins and corpses everywhere, but they did not encounter any organized resistance. Some survivors sat in the rubble with numb expressions, waiting for the victory to end with the killing of the victors. They have died a lifeless life. But although Itasus was the commander of a hostile city-state, he did not indulge his subordinates. Instead, he requested all the centurions in advance: "For Rome in the past or future, our role is no more than that of Masseria." It’s a different place, so don’t feel happy about its destruction. Maybe one day Caesar will also be suspicious of us or even attack us. My compatriots, try to restrain your enthusiasm caused by temporary victory, because there is a longer-term road. In the front, we must always be humble before God and man. This is the long-term solution." He is a highly respected figure in the city. In addition, the Ligurian legion was different from the current Roman legion. These soldiers were relatives and friends from the same hometown and city. Therefore, he could faithfully follow the general's instructions and slowly advance toward the neighborhood while maintaining the enemy-seeking formation.

Until under the rain curtain, they saw Masseria's petition team walking away carrying the corpse on the other side of the stone bridge. The Ligurians stood ready and sternly asked everyone to stop and explain clearly what happened, otherwise they would be killed. They will be treated as enemies and killed without mercy.

"What, Cato was killed? It was this man's body they were carrying!" After asking about the situation, Itasus also felt that the current situation was not something he could solve, so he immediately pulled him out of the queue. A clever kid came, who was his nephew from the same hometown. After putting goose feathers on the guy's helmet, he asked him to play the flute and "guide the corpse to see General Lepidus and let him make a decision."

Under the city wall, Lepidus dismounted and was surrounded by his subordinates and generals. They all looked at Cato with fearful expressions. Lepidus was also silent. He opened the shroud in the rain and looked at it again. After looking at the head that Merisus was holding, he said, "No matter what, you should know that the dead little Cattle is scarier than the alive one!"

"Yes, I am the culprit who instigated the killing of the former Roman procurator, and has nothing to do with General Triali. I will bravely and resolutely take responsibility!"

Lepidus rolled his eyes a few times and then dictated to Sabo next to him, "Send good news to Caesar and the Senate at the same time. Our four legions have completely captured the city of Masseria. The enemy's former consul Dumitius was killed, and the former legal officer The young official Cato... committed suicide unyieldingly. Masseria's execution plan... was handed over to the consul Julius Caesar to decide, and he applied to the Senate to grant Liguria temporary control over Masseria. Continue to wait for the future division of territory by Caesar."

After finishing his dictation, Lepidus ordered that the bodies of Cato's masters and servants be washed clean and smeared with precious myrrh. The mutilated limbs and heads were also densely sewn with threads. Then all the besieging army generals and subordinates gathered around A moment of silence was paid to each of Cato's corpses. His legions followed and sacked Masseria completely, but without resorting to devastating massacres. According to Lepidus' previous experience in Zinodosha, Syria, the remaining citizens were gathered outside the city and given necessary food relief and some money. However, Lepidus still ordered the demolition of the city walls, towers and large war equipment. He did not want to have any trouble after the battle, and then he calmly asked Liguria to take over the city.

But the matter of Cato the Younger was still troublesome. The reason why Lepidus did not massacre the city was partly due to this. He needed Masseria's "falsehood", and finally he entrusted Matthias to handle the matter and let the army Consistent with the city's record files, it describes in detail Cato's feats before his death: he stabbed himself to death calmly for the ideals of the Republic, unwilling to give in, and the time and circumstances of his suicide were described in detail - As for little Cato's friends and servants, they were all inspired by their master's spirit and sacrificed their lives in street battles. A list of these people was also appended to Akuta's body with great respect.

Soon, Caesar's answer came. In fact, Cato's death was always more joyful than sad for him personally. "He was different from Cicero, who was just a drummer in the army. He was as afraid of throwing spears and swords as ordinary people, but Cato was the flag of this army. "But this was just what Caesar confided to Lepidus in private. On the surface, he was as sad as Lepidus, and even shouted to his generals." Why does little Cato hate me so much and would rather abandon his beloved republic?”

The coffin of Cato the Younger was temporarily placed in the Immortal Temple of Masseria, waiting for the right time to be transported back to Rome.

But at this moment, among the citizens of Masseria who were pardoned, the young man Statrius, a loyal follower of Cato the Younger, was also there. He cleverly concealed his identity and blended in with the crowd. Undetected. (To be continued...)