Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Outside the city of Ostia, Camillous repeatedly preached that as long as this small port city is recaptured, he can negotiate with the Dionysians, and eventually the city of Rome may be returned peacefully...

The Roman soldiers who were eager to go home were inspired by this, and they attacked Ostia for two consecutive days. They were all repelled by the Dionysian army. However, there were corpses lying everywhere, the ground was dyed red, and the city walls collapsed in many places. , you can see the ferocity of the battle.

On the third day, the Roman army continued to attack.

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In the Roman Senate, Davos convened a meeting. In addition to all the senators in Rome, the people who attended the meeting included the commander of the Third Legion, Lizaru, the staff officer Printoles, Tolmid and the diplomats. Tapirus.

Gentlemen, Tapirus was commissioned by me to the Etruscan city-states of Kessreira, Volch, Tarcuna, and Fufluna, on the north bank of the Tiber, before I I hope that these Etruscan city-states, who were forced to be attached to Rome under the strong military pressure of Rome at the beginning, can tear up their alliance with Rome and join hands with us to attack the Roman colonial city on the north bank of the Tiber River... Davos said Here, I sighed lightly.

Your Majesty, don't these Etruscans agree? Lizaru asked hurriedly. As the army commander responsible for guarding the Roman Shibashi Bridge and the new river port on the north bank, if the Etruscan city-state on the north bank could fall to Dio If they attacked the Roman colonial city, the enemy's pressure on the north of the Roman city would cease to exist, and the third legion could be drawn out and put into other battlefields. This was the first interjection why Lizaru was so concerned. s reason.

Davos didn't answer directly, but looked at Tapirus.

Everyone's eyes immediately turned to the diplomat, he swallowed nervously and said, I... After I received His Majesty's order, I took a boat to Kathrera, not only because of it Closest to us, also because... as far as I know, it's the most friendly Etruscan city-state to the Greeks. In fact, they did receive me very warmly.

But... when I talked about Dionia's willingness to ally with them against Rome, the Cassrera politely declined, saying, 'Casreira has been friendly with Rome for decades, They will never turn their backs on this friendship easily, but neither will they take part in this war against Dionia,'

They also defended the Romans, saying, 'We have captured the city of Rome, we have the upper hand, and it is best to be able to truce and negotiate with the Romans at this time, so that more benefits can be obtained, and the land is guaranteed. the trade order of the

It is said that it will not be our enemy, but the Casslerians are defending the Romans inside and out. Roman administrator Asisters said with a frown.

The Kessreiras made it very clear,

They've been friendly with the Romans for decades, and they've never had any dealings with us before, and if I were from Casrera, of course I'd help the Romans! Matonis said bluntly.

Nicomacus looked at Tapirus and asked worriedly: Since Casslera, who is the friendliest to the Greeks, also favors the Romans, I'm afraid other Etruscan city-states will not support us, right?

Tapirus nodded slightly and continued: Then, I went to Volch and Tarcuna, these two city-states were attacked by Rome before and were finally forced to surrender to Rome, and the Romans were still there. A colonial city was established in their territory. They expressed interest in His Majesty's proposal, but they all said in the end, 'the vast majority of their young and middle-aged citizens are fighting with the Roman army, so they dare not take action against Rome now. any hostile action, so as not to provoke the Romans, and endanger the citizens of their own expedition'...

It seems that the Romans are still very wary of these Etruscan allies! Antrapolis, who was born in the intelligence department, sighed when he heard this.

Later I went to Faufruna, and a few months ago Rome had sent an army to try to conquer the city-state, but at that time we had a war with Rome, and the Romans withdrew the army that attacked Faufruna, which is equivalent to our Saved Fauvluna. Tapirus continued: But when the Fauvluna Council met me, they did not appear enthusiastic, nor did they seem very interested in our proposal, and they said to me, 'If he wants to join us and declare war on Rome, Fufruna cannot make a decision alone. He must also discuss with the Etruscan city-state alliance and reach an agreement before making a final decision. But before that, they I'd love to have a friendly relationship with us...'

But as far as I know, the Etruscan city-state alliance is a loose alliance and is not very united. In recent years, Rome has attacked the Etruscan city-states. This alliance has not played a role in uniting all the Etruscan city-states. The role of sub-city-states and anti-Roman aggression, so it is easier for Rome to conquer Volch and Tarcuna...

What do you mean... the Fufruna people are just perfunctory with us, and have no intention of forming an alliance with us? Asistes interjected ponderingly.

Tapirus nodded and said: After meeting with the Faufruna Council, I asked the interpreter who followed me to bribe the Faufruner Councilor with money, only to learn from them that although Faufruna hated Rome, But they are also wary of us outsiders, and the strength of Dionia makes them even more worried. At first, the Etruscans united with the Romans and drove out the Celts, but the Romans did not have a few years. They just lead the army to conquer them, so they don’t want to make the same mistake again, they probably prefer to see us and Rome lose both sides, which is in their best interest…”

These Etruscans want good things! Unfortunately, I think they will only regret it in the future! Matonis said loudly.

I'm afraid not only the people of Fufruna think this way, but other Etruscan city-states also have similar ideas. Even compared with us, they are more willing to trust the Romans who have been with them for hundreds of years. King Davos His brother-in-law, Alcibiades said with a serious look: Since yesterday, the trackers and sailors of many cargo ships sailing up the Shuo River have seen a small Etruscan army in the distance on the north bank. Fortunately, there are The guards of the cavalry regiment, they did not dare to approach.

I also received a report from the cavalry, but I think they are just investigating and haven't dared to have a head-on conflict with us. Ryders confirmed the news.

Although they have not yet fought against us, they have shown hostility, and we must fight back, otherwise these Etruscans will think that we are weak and can be bullied! Matonis said bitterly.

Your Majesty. Asistes looked up at Davos and said worriedly: Because the Roman army is attacking Ostia, the cargo ships from the kingdom can only be pulled from the north bank of the Tiber River to Rome by trackers. , if the north bank is also attacked by the Etruscans, the waterway to the city of Rome will be cut off, and the flow of personnel, the replenishment of soldiers, the transportation of materials, the supply of military rations... will become more difficult. , it is not good for us to govern Rome!

Hearing this, Davos began to tap the table with his fingers, but his eyes gradually became sharper, and he said in a deep voice, It seems that my judgment on these Etruscan city-states was wrong. Threats, they should be happy to ally with us, but they all have other ideas! Since they don't accept our good intentions, then we will deal with them in a different way, show them our force, and let them know , what horrific consequences would be to fight against Dionia! I decide—

Davos glanced at the crowd and said in a serious tone: Send troops to capture Kathrera!

When everyone heard it, some were in high spirits, and some were embarrassed.

Your Majesty, will attacking Kathrela cause the Etruscan city-state to completely fall to Rome? Asistes expressed his concern.

Lord Asisters, don't worry. Just like what Your Majesty said, these Etruscan city-states have their own minds. Volch and Tarcuna were defeated by Rome, their territories were divided, and they had feelings for the Romans. There is resentment, only because most of their citizens are in the Roman army, and they dare not cooperate with us. And most of the city-states farther from Rome like Fufruna will probably hold a bystander attitude... Only Casereira and Rome has close ties, and its location is too close to the banks of the Tiber, to seize it will not only protect our waterway shipping, but also deter other Etruscan city-states, and help to persuade them to ally with us again! Tapirus A confident analysis.

However, Kessreira is a mountain city, and the mountain it is located on is much higher than the Capitoline Mountain here, so it is not easy to attack. The current situation does not allow us to bring too many soldiers to attack. If we attack for a long time, No less, our army will be caught in the dilemma of fighting on both sides! Tormide reminded with a solemn expression.

Although Cassreira is a mountain city, it has quite a few citizens in the army of the Roman expedition to Herniki. The Third Legion captured some of their citizens a few days ago. In fact, there are no citizens in Cassreira. How many soldiers are capable of fighting. Your Majesty, I will be able to capture the city of Kathrela very quickly with my four brigades! Epithenes shouted for battle.

As soon as he finished speaking, Matonis immediately refuted: Epithenis, your troops have not even captured the Capitoline Mountain these days, and you still want to attack Kethrela, forget it! Your Majesty, Let's let our Second Corps perform this mission!

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