Chapter 36: Opening the Corridor
The left and center forces of the Roman army were retreating, and although the right flank had gained local advantage, it was no longer helpful.
The Macedonian infantry in the center began to attack the infantry on the right flank of the Romans from the flank, and this part of the Romans gradually became overwhelmed.
While assigning light cavalry to chase the defeated enemy and extend the victory, Aloyos gathered his cavalry to prepare for the final assault.
The Macedonian phalanx of pikes, with their thick rows of spears, advanced toward the small force of Quintus.
Quintus looked at this large phalanx of pike-infantry: the soldiers in the front row held their spears four or five meters horizontally, brushed in a long row, then 30° behind, slightly higher forward, then 45°, 60° backward, and the last 90° stood vertically upward.
"Rushing over like this is like looking for death, but what if you don't fight? Surrender? Run away? He thought.
While he was still hesitating, the Macedonian phalanx had already defeated the infantry in front of him.
The rest of the infantry phalanx was shaken by the defeat in the battle. They flinched, and they had become a bunch of refugees who just wanted to live.
Aloyos looked at the soldiers around him, panting and exhausted. He wanted to give his brothers a breather.
This imminent victory was mainly due to the cavalry troops, and it was their advantage in running out, and they even fought and deceived the enemy's flaws. It was they who fought for the initiative.
In the last critical stage, it was the threat of Macedonian cavalry that caused the Roman generals to deploy infantry to protect themselves, thus relieving the pressure on the infantry line and easily breaking the enemy.
Of course, the cavalry exchanged their hard sweat for the precious blood of friendly soldiers, and such an exchange would definitely be worth it. Because the final battle of this battle broke out on the infantry line. Not only was the numerically inferior infantry preserved, but it also played a huge role in dispelling and counter-attacking in the decisive battle.
Aloyos thought.
Before everyone could catch their breath, Quintus' defense collapsed. Now, only his own cavalry guards remain!
Aloyos' eyes were green, and he couldn't care about anything more. With a crisp order, all the heavy cavalry units rushed forward like arrows off the string. Quintus's guards were weak and were wiped out in an instant. He himself fled with one of the guards. Aloyos was anxious and roared:
"Can't let him run!"
Because the army can be dispersed and gathered, and the enemy general will be disposed of, then a force will be completely destroyed.
The heavy cavalry hurried to chase after them, but they were all out of breath, and the horses could not run fast after running for too long. I saw that not far in front of me there were three light cavalry fast horses and slanted into it, and they caught up with it. After all, it is a light cavalry, and no matter how much it is faster than a heavy cavalry.
Caught up! One of the horsemen dropped his sword and disposed of Quintus. He didn't chase the guard anymore, he just dismounted and retrieved Quintus's head.
Aloyos looked at this scene and said to the people around him: "Oh, this kid is very good at asking for credit, and he knows how to hand in the spoils of war." ”
The cavalry hurried up to the front, and everyone saw that it was none other than Ajax, who had just assumed the position of captain of the light cavalry squadron.
Aloyos praised him for his two first achievements. The general was satisfied, and said that he would also reward every Macedonian soldier who had participated in the Battle of Campania.
Other light cavalry were busy chasing down the fleeing Roman soldiers. At first, they went on a killing spree, but then they were so tired that they simply stopped in front and demanded that the deserters surrender.
Many of the remaining Roman soldiers surrendered.
In the first battle of Campania, Macedonia won a big victory.
Not only did they completely disintegrate the main defensive force of the Scipio family, but they also wiped out the defenders of Capua. Now the city of Capua is within reach.
Aloyos also did not expect that he would achieve such a big result, defeating nearly two Roman full formations with one full legion. The Fourth Army created a military masterpiece.
At that time, he encountered more enemy troops than his own army, and the only thing he thought of was not to disappoint Antigones, and he had to fight hard. He's blocking, and the bet wins.
Aloyos' losses were not significant, so he continued to besiege the city. Engineers began to build siege towers.
Now there are few defenders in the city, and there are no reinforcements outside the city for the time being. Aloyos can take the city at ease.
This time he also began to follow the routine of Antigones, and sent messengers to the city, telling them that Cornelius had died in battle, that there was no point in continuing to resist, and that the city should be surrendered as soon as possible.
The city replied and refused. The siege tower was built, and the last time it was used was in Athens. However, this time the siege tower is higher than the last one, and it is fully enclosed on all sides, and the exterior is covered with a layer of iron sheet to prevent bow and arrow strikes. The ballista machine on the top floor has also been strengthened, making it extremely powerful and loading ammunition has increased.
Siege warfare was fought haphazardly. The Roman garrison numbered only 300 soldiers, and they even drove the untrained inhabitants to stand on the walls.
As soon as Aloyos gave the order, the first siege echelon of Macedonia began to attack wildly. They climbed to the top of the city, defeated the guards, and fought their way down the city, finally opening the gates.
The large army that had been waiting outside the gate squeezed into the city violently, destroying the resistance of the city. Smoothly occupy the main street and the central square.
Macedonia declared the occupation of Capua.
Aloyos chose to be kind to the local population, and he began to learn to govern like the old king.
Because he wants to continue his northward advance as soon as possible, then he needs a solid rear.
Now the common people of Capua are not too interested in who will rule the city.
The leader of Scipio's camp is dead, and the heir has surrendered in Greece.
Its territory in Sicily has been ruled by the Juventus family. Alimo Juventus, who was originally the son-in-law of Cornelius Scipio, became arrogant when he led his army to occupy Syracuse. With the Macedonian invasion of Rome proper, Scipio's power declined.
Juventus no longer followed the instructions of Rome and began to take matters into their own hands. But his family had little prestige and was not recognized by the Senate. He had no choice but to continue to use the banner title of the House of Scipio in order to subdue the people.
After taking the city, Aloyos took care of the city's affairs and invited the king to come and see the beautiful city of Campania. There is a well-developed manufacturing and handicraft industry.
As soon as Antigone heard the good news from the front, his body was lifted and his spirit was much better. He accepted Aloyos' invitation to come to Capua with the main force of the First Greek Legion. Before leaving, Antigone finally decided to call Ducarus to Rome to help him with his affairs.
Ducarus was the second son of Oonos and the cousin of Aloyos. The child was not yet an adult, but he was sensitive, studious, gentle and patient.
Antigone felt that he and Aloyos complemented each other and could definitely be a good match. In this way, even without him, the two of them could have completed the conquest of Rome. Aloyos is a military genius, with Ducarus as his administrative assistant, he takes care of each other, and everything can be turned into good fortune.
Besides, Antigone could take him with his own hands and teach him many things personally. This has many benefits for Ducarros's growth and allows him to mature quickly. It's just that the child is still young, only fourteen years old, so it is very difficult for him to come out at a young age.
However, in all things in the world, there are good and bad sides. The kingdom will have one more pillar. Antigone had written a letter back to Macedonia.