The gentle waves of the Aegean Sea crash against the shore of Rhodes, and the flat grass is refreshing.

From the shore to the center of the island, the terrain is gradually higher, and the land is densely lined with guns and squares. The soldiers on both sides clenched their spears tightly and looked serious and calm. How can the seemingly invulnerable phalanx break through?

The Greek heavy infantry was in the low, outnumbered. The Macedonian phalanx elongated the formation to prevent being copied from the side, condescending, and thin in depth. The battle of 10,000 people is magnificent.

The Greek military has a long tradition, the birthplace of phalanx tactics. It is known for its neatness and tightness, and tacit cooperation. In this regard, Macedonians are students, and Greeks are teachers. However, the Macedonian phalanx was a battle formation that had been improved by Alexander III, and it can be said that the blue is better than the blue.

The morning light is out, so don't delay. Theszaros went into action. He sent a squadron of royal companion cavalry to make a large encirclement behind the enemy's line, and then ordered the infantry to attack on all fronts.

The cavalry chased the Greek general Doros for several hundred meters and killed him. The Greeks were disappointed, and part of the front was disorganized.

The phalanx engaged, and the sound of spears, shields, and swords colliding was incessant, and it was very noisy. Iron discipline makes this battle look solemn and serious. Hold each other and stab each other......

The Macedonian cavalry watched the battle, threatening the enemy's flank and back, but was unwilling to venture into the pike.

Yes! A crack appeared in the middle of the Greek front to the right, and a phalanx was defeated!

In the end, it is a high place, a natural and imperceptible benefit. The Macedonian phalanx was more proactive. From that gap, the Greek infantry line gradually collapsed.

The cavalry pursued without leaving a remnant of the enemy.

Thessarus succeeded in the first battle, annihilating 20,000 defenders and killing Doros.

A rebellion was launched in the city of Rhodes, and the Greek faction was completely destroyed.

The warriors cheered, the war with Greece never passed. Now it's finally been defeated. But people quickly calmed down. Because the commander told everyone that no matter whose city it was, it must be taken. Macedonia needs this naval stronghold. The soldiers shouted "boo" and dispersed in a hurry and returned to their respective posts to prepare for the siege.

Most of the Greek troops were infantry, and few escaped. The rest of the small group of light horsemen and light steps ran back into the city, but they were killed by the rebel Theophrasto.

Theophrasto was Doroth's subordinate and chose to turn his back on his master in times of danger because he thought he was superior to Doros in military talent, but his advice was not accepted.

He was armed with the most traditional Greek military forces: Greek infantry and javelinmen. The Greek infantry was the backbone of the ancient Greek military, and it was very effective against cavalry or infantry in a tight square formation. Can defend on the ground and keep the phalanx attacking. Self-equipped, from the civic class of the city-states, well trained, endurable, thoughtful, and one of the best armies in the world at the time.

The Greek infantry wore hard leather armor and carried round shields and guns, with composite copper spear tips that were not easy to rust. The overlapping shields in the phalanx formation guarantee each soldier. Therefore, the Greek army also requires the figure of the soldier, so as to ensure the strong protection of the torso of the comrades next to him from shoulder to knees.

The overall quality of the Greek infantry was slightly inferior to that of the heavy helmeted infantry. It can be on par with the Macedonian phalanx, but it can't defeat the Macedonian royal pikemen alone.

And the flexible light infantry throwing javelins and running quickly can make up for the shortcomings of the stiffness of the phalanx to a certain extent.

Theophrasto led his troops to intercept the Macedonian army and start a fight. The Greek army was condescending, and the advantage was directly pressed.

The Macedonian bow and arrow and the catapult did not play much role, and the battle was already in the white-edged stage.

Greek javelin-throwers stood on a high ground, and the javelin strike was quite effective. Instead, he gained the initiative in the distance attack battle, but fortunately, the excellent armor of the royal phalanx effectively reduced the damage.

The Macedonian cavalry took the lead in launching a flank charge, scattering the javelin troops on the Greek right flank at will. Theophrasto had no regular cavalry, but nevertheless sent javelins to remedy the flanks. The lightly armed horsemen were no match for the heavily armed knights at all, and the Macedonian cavalry rushed forward in hot pursuit. The Greek right still collapsed.

The infantry battle in the middle was fiercely fought. The Macedonian infantry coordinated in a small area, and two or three phalanxes concentrated on one Greek infantry phalanx, offsetting the opponent's terrain advantage. In addition, the troops and equipment are better than the opponent, and they suffer a small amount of damage to win the central battlefield. After clearing the difficult javelin cavalry, the cavalry turned back to assist the infantry in launching a full-scale counteroffensive. Greece was defeated.

Theophrasto the betrayer was killed by the Macedonian Guards, and all his soldiers were pursued and wiped out. The Macedonians are no longer invincible on the island of Rhodes. The remaining Greek forces were numerous but scattered, and the hoplite legions of the Greek coalition no longer existed.

The rebel general Anaxachos took the initiative to leave the city and surrender. Theszaros succeeded in taking over the city and occupying the entire island.

It is said that there is a tall statue at the entrance to Mandrachi Harbor on the island. Thessaros led the crowd to the delight, but saw only the remains of the statue.

According to locals, it was originally a colossus of the sun god Helios, with a height of more than 30 meters, and it took engineer Lindos Charles 12 years to complete it in 282 BC.

It is depicted as a Greek freedom fighter wearing a laurel wreath, holding a torch in his right hand, holding an arrow in his left hand, and carrying a bow on his back. Because the initial funds for the construction of this huge statue came from the money that the inhabitants of Rhodes sold and exchanged for equipment left behind after the Macedonians failed to besiege the city. However, an earthquake in 229 BC destroyed the statue.

When it existed, it served more like a beacon for the harbor. All that can be seen now is the remnants of it below the knee, which are still viewed by curious tourists.

Theszarus asked:

"Then why don't you rebuild?"

The guide answers:

"Because of the oracle, no one mentions it anymore."

The Macedonian general smiled with satisfaction and continued:

"Because the prosperity here will be given by the Macedonians. God had prophesied. ”

The crowd echoed the praise of the Macedonian army for its bravery.

The general waved his hand and said:

"Doros is greedy and selfish, and wants to make the whole island his home.

I have never thought about it for everyone, and I have lost the hearts of the people.

This is the real reason for his failure.

I've heard that many of the warships of the Greek coalition were gathered in Rhodes, but at the time of the naval battle. I only see your weak schooners. ”

The Greeks present did not really think that the Macedonian monarchy would bring more democracy and freedom. But during the reign of Doros, Rhodes was nothing more than an oligarchy.

(End of chapter)