Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 113: Capture Ostia

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During the fierce siege, the Third Fleet led by Midolades sailed to the mouth of the Tiber River and approached the port of Ostia.

The Romans had already blocked the port of Ostia with iron chains, and the archers in the tower against Poti went up to the tower to test fire rockets at the warship approaching the port as a deterrent.

The Third Fleet bypassed the port, and then the warships docked on the southern bank of the Tiber.

The city of Ostia is similar to a rectangle. The long side on the west side is on the coast and has a city wall. If Dionia wants to attack from this direction, he can only pass through the sea, which is too difficult. So Dio The Nya army concentrated on the east and south sides, while the short side to the north of Ostia was the port.

Why is Ostia City not built along the banks of the Taipei River? Logically, this is more conducive to the lives of the people in the city. Whether it is to work in the fields or to fetch water, it is very convenient. That is because there is a large lagoon just to the east of the port. The Bo River surged and overflowed its banks. This oval lake with a length of about 300 meters from north to south and a length of more than two hundred meters from east to west has long been a part of Ostia. Leave enough tidal flats so that when the Taipei River surges and connects to the lagoon, houses will not be flooded.

Since the war with Dionia, although the Senate did not worry much about Ostia’s safety, it still obeyed the Carthaginians’ suggestions and built it in the lagoon closest to the bank of the Tiber. A short breakwater was mainly used to prevent the Dionians from pushing the warship over the bank of only a dozen meters, through the lagoon, and intruding into the city. This was just a precaution for the Carthaginians.

This time, the Dionian fleet really came, and their warships sailed eastward along the river bank. After bypassing the newly built breakwater, the warships docked on the southern bank of the Taipo River one after another. The infantry got off the ship, each carrying a large plank, and under the orders of the officers, the 2800 infantrymen of the fleet were assembled (the third fleet has 70 raven warships).

After they swiftly advanced for several hundred meters, they came to the lake and placed wooden boards in the water. They put helmets, wooden shields, leather path armor and daggers on them, wearing only leather armor and leather sandals, and then used Holding both sides of the plank with both hands, the whole body floats on the water, relying on his legs as oars, he keeps kicking the water forward. Armed swimming on the lake for less than one mile is a very easy task for fleet infantry who are proficient in water and have rigorous training in this area.

When some people in Ostia suddenly discovered that the lagoon they usually use for drinking and swimming is full of enemies, and they quickly swim towards the city, they shouted in horror, hoping that the defending soldiers could stop them. Landed.

But the vanguard of the fleet's infantry has already landed, and they quickly put on their helmets and picked up wooden shields and short swords. Slippery muddy tidal flats are more difficult to walk, but it is not difficult for these fleet infantry, who are mostly fishermen who have been playing on the banks of the sea since childhood. Not only do they move freely, but they also gradually form teams as they move. shape.

By the time the defending general got the news, the infantry of the fleet had basically gone ashore, and there was already a great chaos in the city.

Although the onslaught of the Diorian army made the defense of the city head tight, the Roman generals had to squeeze a little force into the city to block the advance of the fleet infantry and avoid being attacked by both sides. But in fact, this is just drinking poison to quench thirst.

The scout, who had been observing the movement of the defenders, quickly responded to the changes in the enemy at the head of the city to King Davers. He did not hesitate to let the recharged Fourth Army immediately join the siege team. This It became the last straw to crush the camel.

At dusk, the Dionian army captured Ostia.

………………………………………

At the same time, the rapid sound of horses’ hooves broke through the city of Rome, which had just quieted down at dusk, and the messenger shouted all the way on the battle horse: "Emergency military intelligence! Emergency military intelligence!..." so that the people on the street could get in advance. Make avoidance to avoid accidental injury.

This naturally caused a lot of confusion and panic among the Romans: "What happened?! Could it be that Camilos was defeated?!"

"Don't talk nonsense, how could Camilos fail! I think our army must have captured the city of Ferentirum!"

"If it is a victory, the messenger just announced it to us a long time ago. There is no need to rush to the Senate in such a hurry."

……

Just as the Roman people were talking about it, the messenger rode across the square and pushed open the gate of the Senate.

At this time, the Roman elders were about to leave the meeting place and go home to rest. When they heard the news that "Dionian army is coming from the sea and is about to land on the coast of Latium", they were shocked.

These days, their main business in the Senate is to listen to the progress of the Roman army’s war against the Helnikians. When they were eager to receive news of the final victory, they did not expect to hear first. The Dionians attacked them.

Didn’t the Dionians now fight Carthage in Sicily? ! Aren't they defending against the invasion of the Samoneites? ! ... The first reaction of many Roman elders upon hearing this news was incredible.

Compared with the shock of most veterans, Portitus still seemed a little calm. He asked loudly: "Where the Dionian army will land, are you sure?"

The messenger replied: "General Paulus is sending scouts to track along the coast. I believe there will be news in return soon."

Portitus meditated while muttering to himself: "Adi? Impossible. It is too close to Antiium. Our army can easily destroy the landing of the Dionians... the coast of Lavinim, It is possible that there are not many citizen soldiers in this small city..."

Before he could finish speaking, Abinius had already shouted: "Ostia is not far from Lavinim!"

"Ostia! Dionia’s target is most likely to be Ostia!!!..." There was a cry of exclamation in the venue. The elders of Rome were not the generation of wine and rice bags, most of them were in Before becoming a veteran, they have participated in many city-state affairs and foreign wars. Of course, they can realize how much loss Ostia will have to Rome, and how much help Ostia has given to the Dionians.

"There are 3,000 defenders in Ostia, and Paulus, Mejos, and Pantius will definitely gather their troops and rush to stop them when they discover the anomaly. The situation should not be that bad." Lu Critius comforted everyone.

"The previous battles have told us that the Dionian soldiers are very powerful, and according to the report from the messenger just now, the number of the Dionian troops about to land is probably higher than the number of troops that we sent to the Wolsey border. The number of soldiers is even greater, and the 10,000 Dionian reinforcements originally in Wolsey also rushed to assist them in their landing. We must prepare for the worst. Paulus and the others may not be able to prevent the landing. , And Ostia is likely to be attacked by the opponent!" Cautious Portitus reminded loudly.

"Even if they can land smoothly, they will not be able to capture Ostia in such a short time. We still have a chance!" Apreus said loudly.

His words were immediately responded to by many elders. Yes, not only did they misjudge the situation, but the Dionians boldly led their troops to attack from the sea again, bypassing the heavily defended towns of Rome, and raided their defensive empty hinterland, allowing them to set up a defense strategy in the southwest. They all turned into useless work. Of course, they didn't want Dionia to seize Ostia again, which would make their hearts feel regretless.

"Now I am afraid that Paulus and his army are already at war with Dionia. What is the situation of the battle? I believe we can get news at night." Ambustus reminded everyone not to waste energy to guess blindly. , He said in a deep voice: "What we have to do now is to send someone to notify Camilos immediately!"

"I don’t agree with your opinion. Now it’s dark outside. It’s difficult to ride at night, and the terrain of the Tullerus Valley is undulating, not to mention that there are remnants of the Helniki wandering in the wild. At this time, someone was sent to inform Camilos that he had lost his life before seeing him. It is a trivial matter if he lost his life. If it falls into the hands of the Helnikians and their allies, let them know about Dai The news of the Onian invasion will greatly boost their morale and cause trouble for Camillos to lead his army to retreat in the future.” Publius Cornelius Scipio immediately expressed his dissent. .

Many veterans thought he was right.

At this time, a voice rang loudly from the venue: "No matter how difficult it is, we must send someone to inform Camilos tonight so that he can return as soon as possible!" Portitus said firmly. He looked around the people in the venue with a solemn expression: "You veterans and new entrants, I just thought of a very serious problem. In my decades of life, war has always been as elusive as the temperament of gods. When you When we think the situation will be bad, the facts will get worse! We must consider the possibility that the Dionian army will attack our city of Rome tomorrow!"

There was an uproar in the venue again.

Even if the Dionians ventured to bypass the Roman defenses on land and raid the colonial city of Ostia, they had the courage to go deep alone and invade the interior of the Latham area? ! Attacking Rome flagrantly with enemies all around? ! ! Although many veterans were shocked by Portitus's speculation, they were completely skeptical: First of all, an Ostia would take them a lot of time!