Chapter 1227
As there was not enough time to build a complete defensive camp, the Athens army relied more on the geographical advantage of the high ground to carry out their defense. However, the Lucanians, Samonians, and Gauls were all ferocious mountain races, and fighting in the mountains was their strength. Moreover, now that they had Diónia's high-quality armor and weapons to rely on, and they had an advantage in numbers, they broke through the defensive line after fighting for half a day.
The ferocious appearance of the Gauls with their swords terrified the soldiers of Athens. While they were fleeing, they could not help but proclaim the horrors of the enemy, causing the people of Fili, a town not far from Mount Panisa, to flee with their families. This allowed the army led by Lizaru to successfully occupy the town, and then continue south. Soon, they surrounded another town, Megaruno.
The people of this town did not have time to escape, so they had no choice but to put up a desperate fight. Megaruno's resistance was not in vain. They bought some time for the soldiers and mercenaries of Athens, especially the mercenaries of Iazon, who had rich combat experience. When they saw that the Dionysian Army was powerful, they did not have any hope of Athens' plan of defending against the enemy outside the country's borders. They had long been prepared to retreat at the first sign of trouble. This caused Patroclus' plan of "holding the enemy in the south and attacking from the north. Once they broke through the defensive line, the army would quickly move south and surround the enemy in the south" to not be fully realized. However, in the end, more than 1,000 mercenaries who escaped were captured.
Iphicrates led more than 10,000 soldiers along the coastline and finally entered the city of Athens after the collapse of the defensive line at Athens' borders.
He ran into the Athens City Hall without washing his face. The nine generals who were having an urgent meeting in the room immediately crowded around him when they saw him. "How many soldiers did you bring back, Iphicrates?" the first thing they asked him was, "How many soldiers did you bring back, Iphicrates?"
"16,000 soldiers."
"Why are there so few soldiers?" Callisestratus was stunned. He thought that even if Thessaly's army left, Iphicrates would still be able to bring back at least 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers. As far as he knew, the Hellenic Coalition at its peak had as many as 100,000 soldiers. (Some of the cities of Arcadia and Elise were very close to the battlefield. They used to send a large number of citizens to assist in the battle, but in reality, they did not have much fighting power.)
Iphicrates gave a brief account of the battle in Peloponnesus.
After hearing this, everyone looked depressed. Someone even couldn't help but say, "It's over … Athens is finished …"
"The people of Elis, the people of Arcadia, the people of Phocis, the people of Locris … They are simply stupid! They should understand that it's pointless for them to rush home at this time. Only by joining forces and defeating Diónia can we ensure the safety of our cities! "someone said angrily.
"Sigh … When the real danger comes, these narrow-minded citizens will only see the danger of their motherland. They will not be able to unite and fight against a strong enemy! In the end, the Hellenic Coalition is just an alliance that was formed in a hurry. It is destined not to last long! "Callisestratus sighed helplessly.
Everyone was silent.
At this time, Iphicrates finally had a chance to ask, "By the way, when I entered the city just now, I saw some defeated soldiers shouting and screaming. They said something about losing, losing, losing, causing panic in the city. What happened?!"
Callisestratus told Iphicrates about the "Hellenic Army's defeat at the border" with a heavy heart.
The old Greek general who had always been calm and wise on the battlefield actually bellowed in rage after hearing what Joshua had to say. "You clearly know that the incoming Dionysian army is numerous and powerful, so why are you sending our few young and strong citizens to their deaths?! Who was it?! Who made such a stupid suggestion?! "
Iphicrates' eyes widened as he glared at the people. Some of them lowered their heads subconsciously.
Callisestratus took a step forward and said in a deep voice, "It was our decision, but it was also the request of the people! When Thessaly's remaining army escaped into Athens, we knew that the Dionysian Army in the north would attack soon. Cabrias suggested, 'Quickly inform the people of Attica to hide in the city and rely on the city walls to defend against the Dionysian Army's attack. When you return with your army, then we will counterattack …'
We all agreed with this decision, but … "A trace of shame flashed in Callisestratus' eyes." But in the citizens' meeting that followed, most of the citizens disagreed. They refused to abandon their homes without resistance and let the Diónia trample on them … You know, during the Peloponnesus War, the whole of Attica, except for Athens, was almost destroyed by the Sparta Coalition Army. The citizens did not want such a tragedy to happen again …
So we came up with this plan. We set up a defense line at the western border to stop the Dionysian Army for a while. When you return with your army, we will find a chance to counterattack … Who knew that the Dionysian Army would come so quickly and attack so fiercely … Sigh … "
After Callisestratus finished speaking, the other generals could not help but shake their heads and sigh.
Iphicrates saw that they were avoiding his gaze. He knew that what Callisestratus said was not completely true, but there was no point in arguing about it now. He took a few breaths to calm himself down and asked, "What about now? What's your plan now?! "
Callisestratus said in a low voice, "While the Dionysian Army is still far away from Athens, we have sent people to inform the various villages in Attica to let the people take refuge in the city immediately! We have decided to rely on the city walls to defend against the Diónia Army's attack and wait for you to return with your army to find a chance to counterattack. But I did not expect that … you would bring back so few troops … "
Seeing the disappointment on Callisestratus' face, Iphicrates said with a solemn expression that he had never shown before, "From the battles I have been fighting with the Dionysian Army, it is indeed as the rumors say. The Dionysian Army is very strong and has a large number of soldiers. Other than the Dionysian Army that has entered Attica, there are tens of thousands of Dionysian Army under the city walls of Corinth. According to my judgment, it will not be long before Corinth falls. When the time comes, these two armies will join forces … We cannot defeat such a powerful Diónia on our own, unless Persia sends troops to support — "
"Don't have any expectations for Persia!" One of the generals said angrily. "The Persia have deceived us. They will not give us any support at all. Even the Persia messenger has run away!"
Iphicrates was shocked and quickly looked at Callisestratus.
The chief general nodded in pain. "The king of Persia has already led his army to attack Egypt. He has no spare energy to care about us … We have been tricked …"
Iphicrates slumped into a wooden chair. He had served as a commander in the previous war between Persia and Egypt. He knew very well that Persia would definitely go all out in the war against Egypt, and it would not end in just a few months.
At this time, the old Agur Rios said loudly, "During the Peloponnesus War, the citizens of Athens relied on the defense of the city walls and held on for decades without being breached by the Sparta coalition. We can definitely do the same today! The Dionysian Army is indeed large, but because of its large size, they will consume a lot of resources. Can the people of Diónia support such a huge consumption in the long run?! "
His words lifted the spirits of some people. Cabrias, who had always been in charge of the navy, could not help but remind them. "The reason why we were not afraid of the siege of the Sparta coalition was because we controlled the sea. The goods that the people urgently needed could be transported in through merchant ships at any time, and the Sparta army could do nothing about it. But now it is different. Not only is the army of Diónia strong, but their navy is also strong. During this time, their fleet has been patrolling near Sarons Bay every day, intercepting merchant ships that enter and leave. This has greatly affected our sea trade!
Our warships have taken risks to attack many times, and both sides have suffered casualties. But we have too few warships. In the situation where we can't obtain ship wood from the outside world, and we can't build new ships (there are very few forests in Attica), we will only have fewer and fewer warships. When the Dionysian fleet completely blockades our port, where will we get enough food to meet the needs of the people of Athens! "
Agur Rios was speechless for a moment. Just then, he saw someone rushing in. He quickly asked with a straight face, "What's the matter?"
"General Agur Rios, generals, the Dionysian Army has landed in Eyna. Please send troops to rescue them!"
"What?! Eyna is under attack! " The generals were shocked. Cabrias asked anxiously, "When did this happen?!"
"According to the messenger from Eyna … About … About two hours ago, the Dionysian fleet suddenly blockaded the port of Eyna, and tens of thousands of Diónia soldiers landed on the beach at the southwest corner of Eyna Island, and launched an attack on Eyna City … The garrison on the island has not seen our reinforcements, and the situation is very critical. They had no choice but to send the warships stationed at the port to take the risk and rush out of the port. With great difficulty, they broke through the blockade of the Dionysian fleet and rushed over to report —"
"Where are our patrolling warships? Why didn't they discover and report it in time?! "Calestratus asked angrily.
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