Chapter 143 - 106: Orders Issued in the Morning, Rescinded by Evening
"At least seven Roman legions!" Antonix’s expression grew even graver. "The combat power of the Roman legions is not something that the city guards can compare to!"
Hamilcar immediately added, "Furthermore, Cross believes that the Romans must have informed the towns near Turi of their troop movements in advance via sea routes, because he has noticed unusual activity in those towns in recent days. Not only have they shown signs of recruiting soldiers, but they’ve also sent scouts to spy on his camp..."
"If the Romans can use sea routes to command the towns near Turi to join in attacking Cross, it’s likely they can also command Tarentum and its surrounding towns to do the same!" Attutmus reminded.
"Spartacus, what should we do now?!" Several leaders, including Atmidonos, asked nervously, almost in unison.
"Don’t worry too much." Spartacus said firmly, his tone steady and unhurried. "When Free Italy had just over ten thousand men, we annihilated one Roman legion in Campania. This time, the Roman forces have increased seven to eight times, but our soldiers have also grown to over 100,000. We can defeat the Roman army again, just as we did before!"
Spartacus didn’t raise his voice, but his words were filled with confident strength, calming the nerves of Atmidonos and the others.
"Spartacus, how should we handle the impending arrival of this Roman army?" Atmidonos asked again.
Spartacus looked intently at everyone in the military tent. Clenching his fist, he said solemnly, "We’ll focus all our forces and confront the Roman army’s advance head-on! As for the gathering point, the specific location is yet to be decided. My suggestion is to concentrate our troops in the territory of Tarentum and engage the Romans there. However, Cross’s suggestion is to hold the battle on the Turi Plain. What are your thoughts on this?"
Antonix was the first to respond. "Engaging the Romans near Tarentum is undoubtedly better. We have more troops nearby, and it’s easier for us to concentrate our forces there."
"I also think fighting in Tarentum’s territory is best. These days, we’ve witnessed it ourselves—Metapontum is very close to us, and camping 20,000 men here has already consumed a considerable amount of provisions. If we were to move to the Turi Plain, it might collapse our supply chain," Hamilcar raised a logistical concern that garnered the leaders’ attention.
"I agree that facing the Romans here in Tarentum is the right choice." Maximus said.