Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Chapter 326: The army reserve in the Battle of Finita River

“Esteemed lords, I apologise!” Philesius bowed slightly to everyone. Unable to hide his joy, he excitedly said, “I was late because I had to meet the messenger of the third legion. Bringing with him a piece of good news-”

Philesius looked at the statesmen and said in a loud voice, “The third legion has defeated the insurgent force of Pyxous and Grumentum outside the city of Grumentum! Except for a few who escaped, they have captured most of them, while the third legion only suffered few dozens of casualties. Hieronymus, the legatus of the third legion, then led his army to Pyxous. And it is reported that the city is empty, and it is only a matter of time before Pyxous is captured!”

The Senate Hall was abuzz with excitement, “Great! This is a splendid victory!”

“Pyxous! We are finally going to have a coastal city on the west coast that's truly our own!”

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

The statesmen, who had cold sweat from imagining the scene described by Pollux, burst out with unprecedented cheers.

Looking at the cheering statesmen dumbfoundedly, Pollux was unable to recover from the sudden reversal for a while…after a long time, he unwillingly said in a faint voice, “…I didn't expect that Hieronymus could also create great victory like lord Davos…”

“Wrong.” Philesius corrected him in a loud voice, “In fact, lord Davos had long planned this victory together with the third legion, and with the help of our allies, Laos and Elea. Otherwise, how could we win so easily!”

“Ah…” Kunogelata, Cornelius and the others had an expression as if they already expected it. Then they inquired about the detailed process of the battle with interest.

Pollux no longer said anything.

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

An hour since the start of the battle of Finita River, the battle line between the two sides had changed from a curved, straight line at the beginning to an arcing, crescent moon.

On the right flank of the Theonian army, the troops led by Teriphias almost kept their position since the start. While the left flank of the Bruttian, which is composed of more than a dozen Bruttian tribes, could not effectively unite into a unified force to keep the pressure on the right flank of Theonia.

In Theonia's centre, Vergae, Anbania and some Consentian warriors fought aggressively. After a period of stalemate, the phalanx of the first legion began to fall back, making the whole centre sink in gradually. Even though the proud soldiers of the first legion did their best, they had spent too much energy building the camp that after putting on the heavy armour again, they were already a bit tired.

On Theonia's left flank, the second legion and the Consentian warriors were still fighting fiercely. Relying on their superhuman endurance from living on the highland since childhood, they fought to wash away the humiliation they suffered in the last battle. On the other hand, with the second legion solid and strong defence and the full cooperation between the brigades, they were able to maintain their high-intensity attack.

And only the far left is the place where Theonia has an absolute advantage. At the start, the peltast led by Epiphanes caused many casualties to the Bruttian cavalry, suffering most of the losses on a melee against the experienced Theonian peltast. If this were not a battle of life and death for the Bruttians, the cavalry leader would have already led the remaining cavalry to flee. However, in order to stop the Theonian light infantry from supporting the other battlefields, he led his men to distance themselves from the Theonian light infantry, and by using the speed of the cavalry, they roam around the periphery and making a surprise attack on the Theonian light infantry that had broken away from their team. However, the Theonian light infantry's javelin and arrows were not just for show, and the number of Bruttian cavalries continued to decrease.

However, the light infantry led by Cid encountered some problems. With the Bruttian light infantry’s number and ability could not compare with that of Theonia, the angry Bruttians gave up their long-range attack after suffering from the enemy, rushing up to fight with Cid's troops with their javelins and short blades.

Cid could have retreated and take a distance, which was the standard tactics of light infantry. However, Cid, who had been fighting alongside Davos in his campaigns, knew very well that if the light infantry and the freemen he led were to retreat suddenly, it would expose the flank of Epiphanes, causing significant losses to the peltasts who were currently fighting with the enemy cavalry. That is why Cid didn't retreat and fought hard with the Bruttian light infantry. Although he only had a few light infantries in his hands, and the freemen could only cope by shooting arrows and throwing javelins, letting them fight in a melee with the fierce Bruttian would soon become unmanageable.

Fortunately, Davos still has a lot of cards in his hands. Thus after learning that the left flank was in trouble, he quickly sent the mountain reconnaissance brigade. Then these lightly armed soldiers with leader shields and short swords ran to the leftmost flank and immediately joined the battle, quickly turning the situation around.

A messenger quickly rushed towards Davos, who was at the rear of the army formation.

Tolmides then hastened to meet him.

“Grand legatus, Kapus urgently sent someone to tell you that the first legion is too tired even to lift their copper shields!” As soon as he learned about the situation, Tolmides immediately reported it to Davos.

“It seems that the first legion has reached their limit.” Davos concluded.

“It is not only the first legion. Even Drakos had also sent someone to report that some of his soldiers in the second legion began to feel dizzy and weak that he did not even dare to order the front and rear teams to change for fear of great chaos.”

“If our soldiers are exhausted like this, then the Bruttians won't fair much better even if they are more fit.” Davos stared ahead. Although the dust was everywhere, and the sound of fighting was loud, he was still able to see victory, “Tell the two Besidisian chieftains, Burim and Kreru, who were noisy about fighting the enemy, that now is their chance! I want them to immediately lead the Besidisian warriors to the left flank, attack the enemy's flank, crush the Consentians with the swiftest attack, and show us the strength of the Besidisian warriors!”

“Roger!” Tolmides replied excitedly.

“At the same time, Ledes' cavalry brigade should have already rested enough, so have them assist Epiphanes and Cid. And after quickly defeating the enemy's cavalry and light infantry, have them go north, crossed the battlefield and attacked the rear of the enemy in the centre. And together with the first legion, defeat them in one fell sweep!” Davos clenched his right fist and swung it down heavily.

“Understood, milord!” Tolmides led the two heralds on their horses and galloped to the left as he wanted to convey the order himself.

Davos then turned his head and looked at the two units that had not yet participated in the battle at the far left.

A bit later, Tolmides came back, “They have set out.”

“Sound the attack!” Davos ordered immediately.

Soon after, a high pitched salpinx overwhelmed the noise of fighting and rang throughout the battlefield.

“It's the attack signal! Brothers, hold on, our reserves are out!” Xanticles became energetic from hearing the salpinx. Before the war, Davos told the two army legatus of his plan, and the two legatus explained Davos' tactics to their respective senior centurions, centurions and platoon captains. That is why even in such a passive situation, the defensive line of the first and second legion could still hold on because the officers know what is coming, and now, the salpinx that they look forward to, sounded.

“Beat the drum!! Beat the drum!” Xanticles shouted the order in a voice that had become hoarse from shouting.

The drums sounded, and the flag pointed forward. Although the soldiers were physically tired, their spirits were invigorated.

And all the senior centurions of the first and second legions did almost the same thing as Xanticles.

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

Pian was at the Bruttian's right flank formation, struggling to advance with the Bruttian warriors when he heard the salpinx sound. Although every step was very difficult, the Consentian warriors continued to move forward.

‘The Theonians are on the brink of collapse!’ Such a thought flashed through Pian's mind. Although he was tired, his desire for victory drove him to work even harder. But Theonia's salpinx jolted his heart, ‘Could it be that the enemy’s reinforcements came?’

A sense of urgency came over him, but as he was in the middle of the formation, he could not understand the whole situation. Therefore, he could only intensify his efforts to defeat the enemy in front of him, “Sons of Brutus, work harder! The enemy is collapsing!…” He shouted, and the guards near him called out as well, infecting the other warriors…then the Consentian warriors used all their remaining strength to attack desperately.

However, the defence of the second legion was also greatly enhanced. On the contrary, the advance of Bruttii's centre and right flank became harder.

Under the leadership of Burim and Kreru, the more than two thousand Besidisian warriors, who had been holding back for more than an hour and had nowhere to vent their energy, ran and roared wildly, pouncing ferociously on the rear of the Bruttian's right flank.

The roaring and the rumbling of footsteps made the Consentian warriors look back in a hurry. Then they saw countless Bruttian warriors dressed like them brandishing their spears and attacking them fiercely.

“It's the Besidisians! We are surrounded!!…” The Consentian warriors turned around in a hurry to resist them.

At this time, the cavalry brigade of Ledes easily defeated the struggling Bruttian cavalry and light infantry. Just as the cavalry brigade, reconnaissance brigade and the light infantry stop pursuing the defeated warriors and advanced northward in great haste to cross the rear of the enemy's right flank and attack the rear of Bruttii's centre, the already exhausted Consentian warriors began dispersing after the ferocious attack of the Besidisians.