Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 11: The Crotone Controversy

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As soon as the Dionian army arrived in Crimea, the news that "Krotone's army failed in the battle, the army suffered heavy casualties, and only more than 5,000 people fled back to Crimea." The city of Rotone shocked the whole city immediately.

To say that the failure of the first battle was caused by the negligence of Melanius and the shameless sneak attack by the Amendolaris. This time Crotone formed a much stronger army than the previous one, and they trusted it. , The chief general Miron, who is also experienced and stable and reliable in combat, served as the coach. He thought that he could be ashamed, but the news returned was even more frustrating. Crotone's army was defeated again, and more than 20,000 people did not escape. Did they die in battle? Still captured? There is no news so far.

This time, every citizen family in Crotone was worried about the life and death of their relatives and wept. At the same time, the backlog of anger also broke out under the guidance of Dionian spies. The people gathered and went to the municipal The hall protested and strongly demanded that the citizens' assembly be held immediately.

Faced with the angry people who broke into the meeting place, the council was forced to respond to the demands of the people, and the citizens' assembly was convened hastily.

At the conference, the people angrily criticized the incompetence of these generals and members of the council, which led to the defeat and defeat of the Crotone army, which had a clear advantage, and put the city-state in a dangerous situation. They proposed to dismiss the position of chief general of Miron and take him back to the city for trial. At the same time, immediately started peace talks with Dionia to redeem the captured citizen soldiers.

The proposal was passed smoothly with the support of citizens.

At this moment, the messenger sent by Miron rushed back to Crotone and brought with him the request of "Dionians encircled Crimea and Miron asked for reinforcements."

This news immediately caused the citizens’ assembly to panic. As long as it’s not a fool, everyone understands that once Dionia has captured Crimea, they can enter the Croton Plains, destroy their farmland, and burn them. Their village is close to the city of Crotone. If the war situation really turns into this, it is that after being invaded by Sybaris a hundred years ago, the Croton Plain was once again invaded by the enemy from the north, and the peaceful life of the Crotone people in this plain will be broken for a hundred years. It is unacceptable to the people.

"Reinforce Crimea and stick to Crimea" has become the consensus of the citizens of Crotone. However, the young and middle-aged citizens of the whole city have basically been evacuated. If you want to send more soldiers, you can only relax 18 to 18 At the age of 50 years of military service, while recruiting free citizens. Fortunately, it's just defending the city. As long as you can shoot arrows and throw javelins, this is what freedmen and sailors are good at, so it is not a problem to piece together a considerable number of reinforcements. But the generals have become a problem, because all the citizens who can and can fight are in Miron's army, including Miron himself.

The citizens argued for a long time, and finally reached an agreement. Several candidates were selected, but the selected ones refused to take office. When everyone accused them, they confessed: "Even good fighters like Milon and Philadefors have suffered defeat. How can people like us who rarely go to the battlefield command a force lacking civic soldiers to resist Dio? The offensive of the Nyas? We do not want to take responsibility to fulfill our civic obligations, but we are worried that we will not be qualified for this vital position and our city-state will suffer another disaster!"

After they finished speaking, the civic assembly of thousands of people suddenly fell into deathly silence, and the combative Crotones were in a dilemma where there were no generals.

At this moment, Lucias stood up and said in a deep voice: "Citizens, you all know that Miron and I often have disputes over some issues, and the relationship is not good. But I also have to respect Miron's The contribution he made. He led many times in repelling the Brute’s invasion of the Confederate city-states, and twice forced Lokri to withdraw his troops from the territory of Corennia, which is why you have repeatedly elected him as the chief general. Important reason! To tell the truth, his military talent has always made me jealous. But now he has failed. Miron, who has always won more and less defeat, and worked prudently, was defeated in the battle that determines the fate of the city. You believe he is Neglect, regard this important battle as a game?!"

The words of Nisias caused the impatient citizens to fall into contemplation.

"Of course not. This can only show that Davors, the Archon of Dionia, has a stronger military ability! Yeah, by now, this is something that any Crotone has to admit and must be brave. Facing the facts!" Nisias sighed and said loudly again: "After the failure six months ago, I think you should all know Daves, since he led the mercenaries to Turriy He has won all the battles he personally commanded, and has won many times with less. That’s why the Dionian League is today! Now, among the citizens of Crotone, there are more capable and more capable than Miron. Can you fight against the citizens of Dionian Archon Daves?!"

Despite the pale-faced citizens whispering and whispering in the audience, none of them stood up and recommended or recommended themselves.

"Since there is not, why not let Miron continue to lead the army! I believe Miron, who has suffered a failure, will definitely learn from it and defend Crimea desperately for Crotone and for himself! Citizen! Everyone, Crotone is facing the biggest crisis in a century! I hope you can put aside your likes and dislikes to others, and out of your common heart, choose suitable candidates to defend our city!!!" Lycias yelled.

His words obviously played a role. In the new round of election of the Citizens Congress, Millon became the coach with a small number of votes, but his position as chief general was taken away, and he had to be tried after the war ended.

Getting a satisfactory result, Lycias's expression is not relaxed, because he knows that soon he will meet with Daves again as a messenger. Only a few days later, the whole situation has reversed. Lycias still remembered what Davos said when he left Turriy, and now it has been fulfilled.

In the early morning of the second day, the Dionian army also did not attack, but continued to improve the camp. Not only did they set traps in front of the camp, but part of the soldier protection engineering battalion had begun to erect wooden bridges over the Umbria River.

Milon witnessed all this on the wall, and was surprised: Daves, who had been cunning with soldiers before, could sink his heart and continue to build the camp. Is it really ready to besiege himself?

He hesitated again and again, but still did not dare to send a few troops to attack.

In the afternoon, Miron was relieved. Crotone's 5000 reinforcements were transported to Crimea by a fleet, making the city more than 10,000 troops.

At the port, he also saw Lycias who was disembarking with the soldiers, and his expression couldn't help but change: "Did the council really send you to the peace talks?"

"No, Miron." Lucias's negative answer gave Miron a sigh of relief. He then said: "It was the citizens' assembly who sent me to the peace talks."

Speaking of the Civic Assembly, Miron's expression became even more ugly. He said solemnly, "I don't think...the dominant Dionians will agree to a truce and peace talks at this time. Even if they do, they will The conditions put forward must also be very harsh!"

"You’re right, but the people of Crotone urgently need to know the safety of their relatives. I don’t think I can come. However, it is necessary to try to understand the requirements of the Dionians first. Yes." Lucias shrugged helplessly.

After listening to Lysias, Miron’s face twitched. He coughed a few times and said in a low voice: "I heard that at the Citizens Assembly... it was your speech... which helped me avoid being caught now. Escorted back to the country......"

"In fact, like other people, I wish I could put you on trial and sigh fiercely for the citizens who died in this battle! But Crotone needs you urgently now, for For the city-state and for yourself, I hope you can win a few battles in the next battle to lay a good foundation for future peace talks!" The heartfelt words of Lysias made Miron feel ashamed, and he did not speak. , Just clenched his fists.

Later, Lysias, accompanied by Miron, went up to the city head, holding the battlements, and looking forward: Not far from the city is the camp of Dionia, from east to west is a continuous camp, not only They are neatly arranged, one camp next to another, and trenches, earth walls, fences, outposts, etc. are all available.

Even Lycias, who doesn't know much about military affairs, can feel the rigorous defense of Camp Dionia while standing on the wall.

Meron saw that Lucias looked dignified, so he said: "I don't think these Dionians are like Greeks. We Greeks like fighting, but we don’t like to do these dirty and tired after fighting. But as soon as the Dionians came here, they continued to burrow and build nests like mice. It only took more than a day to build the current camp, which also led me to send a few of them last night. Hundreds of soldiers took a loss when they attacked them! Now they are still building a bridge over the river, they definitely want to build a camp on the south bank to completely siege Crimea."

Milon paused and said loudly: "Now with these reinforcements, I want to teach the arrogant Dionians a lesson!"

………………………

The troops who were ordered to walk across the river to the South Bank of the Protection Project Battalion to build bridges were the second and third teams of the First Corps, and they were in charge of commanding Matonis. This is what Matonis actively requested from Davers. He was the commander of the reserve team in the last battle, and he almost didn't get a fight, so he suffocated his stomach. This time he has to perform well.

When he led the troops to the surveyed bridge repair site on the south bank, he immediately used a brigade to guard and a brigade to dig trenches, and work in turn until the trenches were dug and earth fortifications were built. No enemy was seen. .