Chapter 435: Crotones Choice

Chapter 435: Crotones Choice

Dionysius not only released them but also gave them some gifts.

These Bruttian and Lucanian warriors thought that they would have a tragic fate after getting captured. However, they didn’t expect to be treated like this, so they began thanking their god for their blessing.

With gratitude to Dionysius, most of the warriors still embarked on the road back to the city of Aprustum, and only a few hesitated for long. In the end, they decided to head west, not through Clampetia, but over the mountain path between the Ophemia plain and the mountains of Bruttii, then back to their hometown…

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

On this day, the defeated fourth and fifth legions of Theonia retreated to Aprustum. They suffered a total of more than 4,000 casualties, most of which were during the retreat.

In particular, the first brigade of the fifth legion was completely wiped out, not even having any news about Drakos, the legatus of the fifth legion. It was a great blow to the soldiers of the whole army and the high ranking officers such as Philesius and Epiphanes.

Philesius, who was blaming himself, was a veteran used to seeing life and death, victory and defeat in the Persian expedition. Thus after their defeat, he immediately realised that the situation was extremely unfavourable to Theonia. That is why he must cheer himself up and establish an effective defence as soon as possible to prevent Syracuse’s army from invading Theonia’s territory and win time for Davos to lead the main force back. So, in the city of Aprustum, he trained the fourth and fifth legions after their defeat and personally served as the legatus of the fifth legion.

At this moment, Epiphanes also put down his pride and actively coopered with Philesius in training the soldiers and discussing with Praetor Agasias how to strengthen the city’s defence.

At the same time, Philesius also sent ballista troops and an engineering brigade to Crotone, strengthening the Crotonians’ defence. After all, if the Crotonians doesn’t have them, it will increase the difficulty of defending the city. According to the newly compiled Theonian Military Law, the principle of using ballista against ballista was explicitly mentioned in the chapter on city defence. As an important ally on the southern border of Theonia, Crotone must not be occupied; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, Philesius no longer has scruples about the requirements of the Ministry of Military that they should not leak the secrets of the ballista.

In addition, Philesius also sent an envoy to bring back the team escorting the more than 500 Locrian captives to Bruttii, hoping to exchange these prisoners for the Theonian soldiers captured by the Syracusan army.

Their defeat also made Philesius cautious as he had sent an urgent letter to the Senate in Thurii.  He was worried that Syracuse would bypass Crotone and go straight to Krimisa, with fewer men and relatively weak defence, hoping that the Senate would send a new legion. In this way, the three cities of Aprustum, Krimisa and Crotone could support each other and make their defences more secure.

On the other hand, the defeated Terinians led by Siprus did not follow the Theonians into Aprustum but into Crotone because the city of Aprustum was small and could not accommodate so many people. Moreover, the addition of Terinian soldiers would also enhance Crotone’s defence, making the Crotonians too happy that they do not care about the little rations consumed by the Terinians.

After all, Crotone and Terina’s troops were brothers in this battle. As they were the two flanks of the alliance, they became the direct target of Syracuse’s reinforcement’s attack and interceptions. After the joint pursuit of the Campanian mercenaries and Syracusan sailors, only less than 4,000 Terinian men escaped. On the other hand, the Crotonians who were attacked by the Syracusan reinforcements and the continuous pursuit of the mercenary cavalries* had only over 8,000 men to finally reach the city. (the Numidian and Celtic cavalry wanted to vent their anger and redeem themselves after being intercepted by the first brigade of the fifth legion, so a part of them stalled the Theonians and waited for the infantry to close in, while the other part head northeast to chase the defeated Scylletians and Crotonians.)

Both sides lost nearly half of their citizens.

Besides grieving, Siprus inwardly praised himself that he had made the right decision in advance and let the Terinians move to the Bruttian area of Theonia early. Now, he didn’t even need to worry about their safety.

The Crotonians who had already experienced a disastrous defeat a few years ago were once again in great grief. In addition to their grief, they are more worried about whether Crotone could resist the attack of Syracuse’s huge army that is setting foot on Crotone’s land.

After adding together the Crotonian army, the defeated Terinian soldiers and the less than 2,000 Scylletians, totalling about 14,000 men, the Crotonian strategoi had some confidence in defending the city. Furthermore, the Council of Crotone urgently gave a mobilisation order for the freemen to join the war, increasing the number of men to 20,000.

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At the urgently enlarged council of a thousand men, someone mentioned that with Crotone suffering heavy losses, they should consider a truce with the Syracusans, just like their previous truce with Theonia, in order to recover their strength.

However, most opposed it, and even Lysias, who always compromised according to the situation, refuted it. And shouted, “Everyone, Syracuse is different from Theonia. The tyrant – Dionysius, will never sign an equal term agreement with us as he wants to make our great Crotone his slave, paying high tribute, letting our citizens shed blood for him, and even destroy our democracy and change it to dictatorship like Syracuse, just as he did in the other Greek city-states in Sicily!…

Furthermore, even after Crotone became the so-called ally of Syracuse, we still had to face the bullying of our sworn enemy, Locri, because Dionysius’ wife is the sister of Locri’s polemarchos – Demodokas, who was an accomplice to Syracuse’s invasion of Magna Graecia. And in the eyes of Dionysius, their status is naturally much higher than that of Crotone. Using Dionysius’ power, Locri would humiliate us and even take the benefits that belonged to Crotone! Citizens, are you still willing to submit to Syracuse even faced with such a very likely future?!”

“Fight to the death with the Syracusans! Crotone, even if she perish, should not become a slave of Dionysius!…” The citizens shouted angrily and finally reached an agreement on the issue of war and peace.

At this time, the envoy sent by Philesius came to Crotone. He brought not only the ballista unit but also the promise made by Philesius on behalf of the Senate of Theonia: As Theonia and Crotone would fight side by side against Syracuse! Crotone could put forward any difficulties to Theonia, who will do her best to help solve them!

Theonia’s pledge and practical action (bringing the ballista unit) moved the citizens of Crotone and greatly removed their vigilance against Theonia. Thus, the Crotonians felt unprecedented security now that a powerful ally backs them for the first time.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Philesius’ envoy kept galloping along the road, changing his horse three times through the roadside post station. It only took him half a day to bring the important battle report of their defeat to the Senate in Thurii, which soon spread all over the city.

Although the Thurians were not as bleak as the Theonians of Aprustum and Krimisa(after all, most of the soldiers of the fourth and fifth legions participating in the war came from Bruttii, Aprustum and Krimisa), their shock was much greater than these three places. Since the construction of the new city of Thurii, the only thing they heard was the news of victory after every war. Hence they are used to victory, so hearing a defeat for the first time made the panic spread among the people…

On the same day, many went to the Temple of Hades to pray, hoping that Hades would protect the union. In the afternoon, even the people of Amendolara and Besidice came to the temple one after another…

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

While the Senate was holding an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures, Cheiristoya discussed the possible impact of this defeat on her own industries with the several managements of her businesses in Davos’ residence.

“Madam, Syracuse should soon march towards Crotone, turning Aprustum into a battlefield…so in order to secure the bank…should we…should we temporarily transfer the money stored in Aprustum’ bank?” The bank manager cautiously suggested.

“We must not transfer the money of Aprustum’s bank!” Cheiristoya firmly said. Then she continued, “You should understand that in the eyes of the people, Cheiristoya’s Bank is not my personal property. It represents my husband, archon Davos! Thus, if even the archon’s property were moved during this critical situation, would the citizens in Aprustum still have the confidence to hold on?! That is why besides not withdrawing the money from the banks, we must also open them on time every day!

Furthermore, you must ask the bank employees in that city to face every guest with a confident smile. And if the city hall of Aprustum is financially tight and needs money, you must lend it to them even if there is no interest!”

The bank manager was stunned when he heard the last sentence, but he could only reluctantly say, “I understand, madam.”

“How’s the restaurant?” Cheiristoya turned to look at another manager.

“Because of this war, we have more guests in the various restaurants than before, especially the one in the port of Thurii. And after the Syracusan fleet blocked the maritime trade route, the favourite place for the idle sailors and workers to hang was either the arena or the restaurant. Therefore, there are often some small conflicts, but I have already discussed it with the port’s patrol captain, and he will send more men to strengthen the patrol in that area.”

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