Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

In order to better control the Numibia region, the Carthaginians have stationed an army of 20,000 people in the inland for a long time, suppressing the resistance and riots of various tribes in Numibia at any time, in order to maintain the stability of their region. After the war with Dionia, the army now numbered less than ten thousand.

Since there were five or six thousand Dionian soldiers who attacked Hadrummentum, the Numibian army alone may not be enough to repel the enemy. We should immediately attack the city and its surrounding areas. The allies are mobilizing urgently, and I believe that in order to defend their homes, the people will participate as much as possible, and form an army with sufficient numbers to join the army in Numibia and go to repel the enemy.

When Carthage was facing a crisis, Hanno did not oppose Pretakuba's opinion this time, but added: In addition, we must also inform the neighboring gangs to prepare for defense to prevent this After the Onian army captured Hadrummentum, they continued to attack other allies. We will also send ships to explore the waters around Carthage to prevent the Dionians and their fleets from coming to harass Africa...

This time, the useful suggestions made by the elders were passed quickly and implemented immediately, with unprecedented efficiency.

The people of Carthage soon learned of the news that Hadrummentum was attacked by the Dionysians and panicked.

Four hours later, Carthage finally reluctantly gathered an army of nearly 10,000 people. Under the leadership of Taipanlako, it rushed eastward and joined the army hurried from Numibia on the way.

During the eastward march together, the sky had already darkened, but they did not need to light the torches, because the fire was soaring in the direction of Hadrummentum City, illuminating the eastern sky.

The Dionians not only slaughtered the people of Hadrummentum, but also burned the entire city? ! ! The Carthaginian soldiers looked at the fire in the distance, with anger and panic in their hearts.

When Taipanlako led the army to arrive, he found that the situation was not as bad as he imagined: Hadrummentum City was indeed turned into ruins, but most of the people were safe and sound. They saw that the fire was about to go out. Don't get burned, they rushed into the ruined city, and scoured the ashes to pick up items that could be used...

After seeing the arrival of the Carthaginian army, many people rushed over and told Taipanlacco about their tragic experience with tears: ... After the Dionysian army entered the city, a small number of soldiers strangled those who were still in the city. The people of Hadrumentum who tried to resist, most of the soldiers rushed to the port. The terrified people of Hadrumentum suddenly found that the Dionians did not block the gates of the city, nor did they prevent them from escaping, so they fled outside the city and sought refuge in neighboring city-states. After more than an hour, they suddenly saw a fire in the direction of their mother country. Some people came to check with the courage, and found that the enemy had disappeared without a trace, but the whole city was raging on fire. can't put out...

After Taipanlacco confirmed that the Dionysian fleet and army had left,

He breathed a sigh of relief, but then he should have a headache again: because what about the thousands of Hadrumentum people who have no homes and no food and clothing? Arranging for them to suffer disasters is the responsibility that Carthage, the ally of the Phoenician city-state in the Western Mediterranean, must take on!

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At this time, the Sicilian fleet had long since left the port of Hadrummentum and had entered the western waters of Sicily. We are about to reach the sea near Minoa.

When Sekelian returned to the voyage, he specially kept an eye on it: in order to prevent the Carthaginian fleet from waiting on the route of Serinus, he also ordered the fleet to circle east for a small half circle and go directly to Miloa.

But how did he know that Morbal led the Carthaginian fleet to the area between the western waters of Sicily and the Carthaginian waters early in the morning as usual. On the other hand, strengthen the training of the fleet in the state of war, speed up the integration of new warships, and explore ways to counter Dionysian tactics.

So when the Clippers found the Carthaginian fleet and told Morbar that The Dionysian fleet attacked Hadrummentum, he was also surprised.

He really wanted to lead the fleet to the sea near Serinus, to rob the Dionysian fleet returning home, but just when he ordered the fleet to change course and move in the direction of Serinus, the Sicilian fleet had already Bypassed the Isle of Corsus, and was closer to Serinus than the Carthaginian fleet.

Sekelian led the Sicilian fleet, quickly attacked, returned quickly, captured the city of Hadrummentum, destroyed the Eastern Phoenician combined fleet, and burned the entire city... It didn't take much time, and the infantry of the fleet did not have too much. kill.

Of course, one of the main reasons for this was the request of King Davos, who did not want the citizens of the kingdom to become bloodthirsty monsters, nor did he want to kill the unarmed people excessively, causing the Carthaginians and Phoenicians to become The extreme hatred caused the same hatred, and the burning of the city not only caused panic in Africa, but also increased the financial burden of Carthage.

Although the crew of the Sicilian Fleet were tired, they all sang happily. The shadow of the defeat a few days ago had been swept away. They happily controlled the warship and sailed into the port of Minoa. A few of them The warship also carried goods seized from the treasury of Hadrummentum, as well as part of the captured crew of the combined Eastern Phoenician fleet.

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The burning of the city of Hadrummentum had an unprecedented impact on the people of Carthage and the Phoenician allies in Africa. On the second day, many Carthaginians gathered in front of the Senate to petition, urging the navy to strengthen its defense. Patrol the coast of Africa and strengthen the defense of Carthage and its allies to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

The neighboring Phoenician city-state also sent messengers to ask for the protection of Carthage.

Under the circumstance that their own safety was threatened, the Senate of course did not have the energy to discuss the reinforcement of Sardinia, and an issue that had been debated for the past few days finally came to a conclusion. The messenger went to Minoa and asked to meet Davos, king of Dionia.

It was noon at that time, and Davos was having lunch in the big tent. He specially asked the servants to prepare an extra table. When El Accra entered the tent, before speaking, Davos invited him to dinner.

Dear King Davos, on behalf of the Carthaginian Senate, I have important matters to discuss with you, and there is no time-

Before El Accra could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Davos: Envoy of Carthage, you have come from a long way, and you must be hungry. Eat something first. Otherwise, if the strongest person is always hungry, But nothing can be done! Davos said with a pun.

El Accra sat down helplessly at the dining table, where there was a bowl of hot fish soup, a plate of salty beef jerky, a bowl of sticky oatmeal, two pieces of toasted bread, With a glass of wine, the food is very simple.

El Akela's face became a little ugly. Although he didn't want to eat, since he said he was entertaining the envoys of Carthage, the food was too simple.

At this time, Davos said slowly: Apart from wine, the food on your table is the lunch of the Dionian soldiers at noon today. You and I eat the same as them.

Will the food of Dionian soldiers be so plentiful? ! El Accra was shocked, and then he felt that King Dionia was deliberately deceiving himself. After all, it was said that the Dionysian army in Sicily was as high as 100,000.

Davers looked at his expression and knew that he didn't believe it, but he didn't explain much.

El Accra didn't have the heart to eat at this time, he said loudly again: The Senate of Carthage sent me here as an envoy. There are a few things to discuss with the king!

Davers took a sip of wine and nodded slightly to indicate that he heard it.

The day before yesterday, your Dionysian fleet attacked the city of Hadrummentum, slaughtering the people in the city, and burning the entire town... Your approach is too brutal! Hadrummentum Although Mu is an ally of Carthage, but they did not send troops to participate in this war, but suffered such a terrible disaster, which has aroused the anger of all the Phoenician city-states in Africa against you Dionia! ——

Messenger, Hadrummentum City did not send troops to participate in the battle, it does not mean that they did not participate in this war, did they not build new warships for you? Didn't provide you with food? ... At least we can be sure Yes, they provided a base for the fleet from the Phoenician region of the Eastern Mediterranean! And it was this fleet that attacked our Sicilian fleet, resulting in the death of the fleet commander! Henipolis retorted bluntly: You guys The Carthaginian army can ruthlessly destroy Minoa, Agrigento, Gera and other city-states that are friendly with us Dionia, can't we burn a Hadrumentum! And a Hadrummentum is simply not enough to comfort the people of the friendly city-states who have lost their homes!

El Accra heard the threat in Henipolis' words, he forcibly suppressed the urge to refute, grabbed the wine glass on the table, and took a gulp of wine. After a while, he said in a deep voice: You mentioned the fleet from the eastern Phoenicia region stationed in Hadrummentum just now. In fact, we in Carthage did not invite them to participate in the war, but they were in the After knowing that we had a war with you and encountered difficulties, based on the common blood, we obtained the consent of the Persian king and took the initiative to send a fleet to assist us...

I know that you have captured quite a few crew members of this fleet. The Senate of Carthage hopes that you can release them and let them return to the Eastern Mediterranean safely, so as to avoid the city-states of Tyre and Sidon in the Phoenician region from taking these prisoners. At the strong request of relatives, he made another request to the Persian king, which led to the further expansion of the war.

The Carthaginians are threatening! Henipolis frowned slightly and looked at Davos subconsciously.

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