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When the bugler blew their high-pitched salpinx, the Spartan warriors sang warlike chants to pay tribute to the ancient heroes while charging at the enemy. Often resulted in the Greek city-states soldiers’ will to collapse, turn around and run before even fighting as they were unwilling to take risks fighting against Sparta. The Spartans deterred the other city-states in Greece for a century by relying on their terrifying momentum and killing intent created by the army as a whole on the battlefield.
Phoebidas was not disturbed by Syracuse’s large army, but the tenacity, obedience, and unified attire of the Theonian army aroused his fear as he seemed to see another Spartan army. And even though they wore black instead of red, their soldiers were much more numerous than Sparta…
‘The Mediterranean only needed a Sparta!’ Phoebidas thought strongly.
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As soon as the third legion led by Alexius arrived in Pyxous, Davos didn’t even have the time to greet him and immediately told him his battle plan. With his consent, he immediately ordered him to lead the third legion north and attack Poseidonia.
The coastal area from Pyxous to Poseidonia is not as flat as the east coast of South Italia, from Thurii to Crotone and then to Locri. It is mostly mountainous and hilly, with rugged and uneven ground.
The third legion pass through Elea on an arduous march.
As a city-state that is part of Theonia Alliance, Elea’s polemarchos Kanos did not hesitate after receiving the news and personally summoned 1,500 soldiers and joined the ranks of the third legion. After all, now that the Samnites occupied Poseidonia, Elea was directly facing the fierce Samnites warriors, so the Eleans hoped Theonia to repel this vicious wolf from the north and restore peace to Elea.
Half a day after the third legion left, Davos led the first and second legions to the north.
Androlis, the Praetor of Pyxous, was not idle either as he had to help prepare the food for 30,000 soldiers. After all, the food consumed by such a huge army must also be impressive, and Pyxous alone could not satisfy it. Fortunately, Theonia had built a reserve granary in Grumentum, which could temporarily meet the needs of so many people for a short time. But once the war extended, they would also need the granary of Consentia, which is why Davos had to speed up the pace. Androlis also had to prepare wagons and manpower to transport food supplies to the frontline camp of Davos under the command leadership of the legion’s logistics. A complex and tedious job that needed to be manned continuously, but with the operation of the experience logistics brigade and the assistance of the capable Androlis, and the active cooperation of the Praetor of Grumentum – Bagul, everything progressed smoothly.
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In the afternoon, the third legion headed northeast after joining with the Elean army and prepared to bypass this wide mountain range on the seaside just north of Elea as Poseidonia was just on the other side of this mountain.
Halfway through, the third legion stopped moving and began building a camp.
As they caused a lot of commotion, the Samnites’ scouts easily discovered them.
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“What did you say?! The Theonians appeared on the south of mount Cilento and camped on the banks of the Alento river?!” Pisini, a chieftain of Pentri, was gorging himself on food in the residence of the archon of Poseidonia when hearing the report and became surprised.
“Yes, chieftain. And they numbered more than 10,000! Furthermore, when we quietly approached their camp, we discovered that the flag erected in their camp reads ‘Third Legion’!” The scout said with anxiousness.
“The third legion of Theonia! Shouldn’t they be in Grumentum?! How did they get here?!” Pisini lost his appetite, threw the mutton he had just chewed on the table, lowered his head, and wiped all the oil stains on his mouth with his dirty leather robe.
“I think the Theonians must have heard that we captured Poseidonia, so they hurriedly want to take it back.” Another chieftain, Mobuk, guessed.
“Theonia has 10,000 men while we only have 3,000 warriors! Moreover, they came so fast that we had not yet repaired those destroyed by the ballistae. So how could we prevent their attack?!” Pisini paced back and forth impatiently.
“Then we have to send someone to Potentia immediately and ask the great chieftain for help!” Mobuk reminded.
“That’s natural! And…we should also immediately inform our men that no matter how late they work tonight, they should fill the gaps in those walls!” Pisini smashed his fist on the wooden table.
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At dusk, Alexius sent the reconnaissance team to kill the Samnites scouts in the surrounding area.
That night, the 20,000 troops led by Davos quietly entered the city of Elea, and the Eleans had already made room for the Theonian army as Alexius had already notified them.
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On the same day, on Locri, the Syracusan army finally gathered. But the return of the scouts surprised Dionysius and the others, ‘In just a day and a half, the camp of Theonia had begun to take shape.’
This report had further strengthened his new plan: He would divide the army into two, of which more than 20,000 were under the command of Phacipessas together with more than 10,000 soldiers from Locri, for a total of 40,000 men, to try to attack the Theonian camp and hold them in check. On the other hand, He himself will lead an army of more than 50,000 men to cross the old path between the mountains, reach the west coast of Magna Graecia, and then turn north…
In order to prevent the delaying of the march, Dionysius’s troops did not carry a lot of luggage and just let the fleet in Locri loaded with supplies depart from the port, head south around the Strait of Messina, then along the western coast of Magna Graecia, and head north to accompany the army on land.
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When the Rhegians saw the continuous Syracusan ships passing by the sea in the distance, the fear in the hearts of the Rhegians could be imagined, and some even shouted in panic, “The Syracusans are coming! They are going to land!!!…”
But it turned out that it was just a false alarm. However, it still caused great panic to the Rhegians, and many members of the councils even asked to recall the troops that went to Taurania to defend against Syracuse.
Athelycus was at a loss for a moment, so he immediately sent a messenger to Taurania.
Pheidon in Taurania first got the report from the scouts: They found the Syracusan army crossing the old path between the mountains, heading towards Medma while the cavalry that was the vanguard had already passed the city of Medma and continued to head north.
Then came the urgent report from the port lighthouse: They discovered that the Syracusan fleet composed of thousands of transport ships had passed through Taurania and sailed north.
An hour later, a Rhegian merchant ship hurried into the port of Taurania from the north and reported that Syracuse’s fleet did not enter Medma but continued to go north.
“It seems that Syracuse is ready to attack Terina on the north. For the time being, we are safe.” Said Chrylotas, the strategos in charge of Taurania.
Pheidon, on the other hand, was not relaxed. He then said with a gloomy expression, “Once the South Italia Alliance in the north is defeated, it will only be a matter of time before they attack Rhegium and Taurania.”
“That depends on whether our allies can withstand Syracuse’s attack or even defeat them…” Chrylotas, whose thoughts were aroused by Pheidon’s words, said with some expectation. Then after feeling that this hope was a little slim, he sighed and said, “It’s a pity that the archon of Theonia, Davos, led his main force to resist the Samnites. If he could lead his men back in time, then the odds of the allies will significantly increase!”
“Hence we should not let the Syracusans attack so easily!” Pheidon said loudly with a serious and resolute expression, which surprised Chrylotas.
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In the afternoon, Rhegium’s messenger rushed to Taurania and severely demanded Pheidon to lead the army back.
While Pheidon deliberately delayed the time, he immediately sent his men back to Rhegium.
At dusk, Pheidon was still unable to gather the soldiers. And because “it was impossible to march in the dark”, it was postponed to the next day.
Early the following day, Athelycus, who found that the Syracusan fleet had already left Taurania and had not launched an attack on Rhegium, cancelled the order to recall the army at the request of Pheidon’s man.
It was only when his men returned to Taurania with Athelycus’ letter that they were able to stop the unnecessary marching back and forth of Rhegium’s army, which was to be discussed later.
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On this day, Dionysius thought of many ways to speed up the marching of Syracuse’s massive mixed army. The most effective way was to send his men to each army and say that whoever arrives at Hipponion first will be the first to be allowed to enter the enemy city after conquering it, and the last one to arrive will not have the right to share the spoils.
Due to having too many mercenaries, Dionysius’ army was not as disciplined as Theonia’s. And in order to maintain high morale, his soldiers often burned, kill and pillaged the city after breaching, such as in Motya and even the Sicilian Greek city-states of Catania and Naxos. In fact, Syracuse did no less damage to the Sicilian Greek city-states than the Carthaginians, which is why the Sicilian Greeks feared and hated Dionysius.
Dionysius’ words really had an effect. All the various troops rushed forward, and the Numidian cavalry and Celtic cavalry were at the front.