Chapter 41: I Fought for Macedonia
The rout of the infantry was simply a mess, they shouted and fled.
The reason why the Romans did not keep chasing was because the Macedonian cavalry was still advancing and retreating in an orderly manner.
Macedonian Cavalry: In addition to Antigones' large cavalry guards, there were also the Imperial Friendly Cavalry, the Macedonian Heavy Cavalry, and four elite squadrons of Macedonian light cavalry.
If the pikemen infantry is the iron wall of the Macedonian army, then the Macedonian cavalry is the fast spear and sword of the legion, the essence of the attack.
They are also the real last front line of the Legion.
The cavalry had no fear, and moved in a group looking for an opportunity. At the same time, they guarded the king and never left their posts without permission.
Antigone awoke, and at a glance he saw the fleeing Macedonian infantry in disarray. He doesn't blame them. Of course, King Antigone did not feel that he had lost.
He pushed the people around him and stood up on his own, breaking the arrow with his hand.
The king drew his sword and jumped on his horse, and he felt his blood boiling. Isn't this the first time I've been on the battlefield with my father?
Isn't that what he feels like when he's young?
I! King of Macedonia! Bearing the reputation of the phalanx of the great man Alexander the Great, how could I throw in the towel?
Antigone was sixty years old, but he looked as young and imposing as he had been ten years ago. He looked around, patrolling the situation on both sides and the battlefield. Suddenly there was a bright light in his eyes, and he gave the order: "Cavalry troops on the high ground on the right-hand side!" Grab the advantageous terrain! Hurry!"
The soldiers listened to familiar orders, ah! How harsh it sounds, why is it so amiable at this moment, as if a loving father is teaching them.
"What are you waiting for?
This war is over, and it will only end when I say it's over!
I still have the Janissaries, the cavalry units, and I have to fight for Macedonia. If you dare to fight alongside me, then we will fight to the end, long live Macedonian victory! ”
The cavalrymen galloped to the heights, knowing that they were saved. As long as their generals are there and their convictions are there, the Macedonian army is invincible.
Antigone galloped to the fleeing group of infantry, shouting a loud command:
"The 1st Macedonian Army assembles!"
His tenacious command, which sounded so inspiring at the moment, was high-pitched with a persistent desire to forge ahead:
"The Macedonians regrouped their formation!"
Many of the soldiers stopped and saw that the king was still alive and that no one had fled anymore. They feel safe.
"Now, come with me!"
Antigone said no more, and turned his horse and ran to the high ground, where he joined the cavalry.
All the infantry stopped their rout, turned and ran back to the high ground.
This time he ran faster than when he ran for his life just now, as if a child was about to run to his mother's arms, brisk and powerful.
The Roman soldier on the opposite side also felt inexplicable when he looked at the scene in front of him. They stared at it for a long time and didn't realize what was going on. The Roman general ordered the army to regroup and march to the high ground. But the Macedonian cavalry had already seized it. Tetius ordered the whole line to attack and seize the high ground.
At this time, the Macedonian infantry line was once again assembled, lined up in a neat pike. A phalanx with a large number of soldiers will protect the phalanx with fewer people behind it, and a phalanx with fewer people will also close to their teammates to fill vacancies, strengthen weak links, and support each other.
The archers unanimously aimed at the Roman hired archers and concentrated their fire, and with the advantage of high ground and numbers, they were completely cut.
The Roman infantry launched a new offensive against the Macedonian army on the heights. The Macedonian infantry withstood the first javelin strikes, and the two sides entered a white-knuckle battle.
Two squadrons of Macedonian cavalry bypassed the enemy flank and broke up two Roman infantry phalanxes from behind. The fleeing heavy infantry was then pursued further.
The infantry of the second Roman front rushed up, and the cavalry chose to retreat.
The Romans devoted all their infantry to the attack, focusing on both sides. But the Romans did not take advantage of the array against the attack, and the Macedonian side had the advantage of the length of the weapon.
Of course, the power of the Macedonian phalanx must be prepared in advance, and only when the right direction is judged can it be fully exerted. The battlefield battle suffered such a loss at the very beginning.
Seeing that the Macedonian army was not moving, the Roman general decided to break through the infantry line in the center with his cavalry. When they rushed to the front, the Roman infantry in the middle was defeated.
The Roman cavalry continued to charge, and did break through the two gun formations in the Macedonian center, but they did not have time to catch their breath. Antigone led a group of heavy cavalry down the rapids from the heights, counterattacking the Roman cavalry, which was unstoppable.
The Roman middle was broken in an instant, and the mixed front of cavalry and infantry was rushed. Now it's time for the Romans to break up. The enemy army was white, and the young Roman infantry concentrated on both sides also retreated. The Macedonian infantry launched a counteroffensive and besieged the remaining recalcitrant enemy.
The light cavalry was at the forefront, following Tetius and the cavalry. The rest of the heavy cavalry pursued and cut down the fleeing infantry to expand the victory.
Later, Tetius was shot in the back of the heart and died.
Macedonia won. Once again, the 1st Greek Army retained its undefeated honor.
Although the Macedonian army was in a very disadvantageous situation at the beginning, but later, under the great charisma of Antigones, the soldiers reunited their fighting strength, reversed the defeat, and turned defeat into victory. And its own losses were not large, and it won an overwhelming victory. After the war, the morale of the army was greatly boosted and the morale was extremely high.
Antigone decided to advance into Greater Sicily to further attack the power of the Juventus family in Sicily.
Liliba was a city of Carthage, which had only recently been occupied by Rome. Juventus sacked the seaside city, not only robbing it of a great deal of wealth, but also slaughtering a third of the city's population. Due to the Macedonian invasion, Juventus had to hastily withdraw its troops, so the city's defenses were very weak. The Macedonian army's defeat of Tetius' forces opened the door to Lilipa. In addition, the people of the city were reluctant to cooperate with the Roman army.
Sure enough, Antigone did not have much trouble capturing the city of Lilibal. It was also warmly welcomed by the local residents, and the common people in the city brought out delicious food and drink to entertain the liberators.
Macedonia declared the occupation of Lilib.
As a result, Macedonia already controls two-thirds of Sicily, making it more difficult for the Roman Juventus family to gain a foothold.
Publius Juventus was relieved when he returned to Syracuse with his troops. He ordered a comprehensive strengthening of the fortifications of the city.
It seems that his fears about Macedonia attacking Messina and Syracuse at the same time were superfluous.
But soon he felt even more uneasy, and the news from the front was becoming more and more favorable to Macedonia.