The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 83 Retreat

The Tarentum reinforcements on the right flank of the Hellenic army were also forced to retreat. Fortunately, they had 200 cavalry stationed nearby, ready to act, which deterred the Lucanian warriors from pursuing too aggressively. The Lucanians feared their forces might become too dispersed and fall victim to the cavalry, so the Tarentum forces managed a relatively smooth retreat.

However, the Hellenic army’s center was in complete disarray, resembling a heap of scattered sand, utterly devoid of organization.

"General Phrynis, we’ve lost! We’ve lost!! What should we do? What should we do?!" General Kunogorata, who was typically eloquent and sharp-witted in the city council, was now panic-stricken.

"What else can we do!" Phrynis let out a bitter laugh, his tone filled with regret. "I failed to hold firm on my opinions; that’s my fault! I underestimated the enemy; that’s my fault! I was obstinate and failed to heed others’ advice; that’s my fault! The defeat of Thurii today—all the blame lies with me!"

Watching the fleeing soldiers rushing past him, his expression turned resolute. "You, go back to Thurii immediately and have the citizens prepare for defense! I will buy time for Thurii, seeking forgiveness from Apollo for my sins!" As he spoke, he raised his withered arms, took up his shield and spear, and pushed through the fleeing soldiers, moving toward the oncoming enemy. The bodyguards, slaves, and clansmen accompanying him shouted together, "For Thurii!" Hundreds of them surrounded the old general, charging against the current. Their actions inspired some of the fleeing citizens of Thurii to stop and join them.

Kunogorata hesitated for a moment but ultimately turned his horse and fled. While fleeing, he comforted himself: Phrynis is right—if everyone dies here, who will protect Thurii?

By the time they faced the enemy, Ferris’s force had grown to 800 men. The sixty-year-old general shouted "Apollo!" and led the charge into the enemy lines. His men followed him in a counterattack, fighting fearlessly and ferociously, catching the pursuing Grumentum warriors off guard. Nearly breaking through their ranks, the Grumentum forces were forced to regroup and encircle the surprisingly brave and stubborn Thuriian soldiers.

This most tragic scene of the battle came to an end, with all 800 Thuriian warriors led by Phrynis perishing, none escaping.

Kunogorata, eager to return to Thurii, narrowly avoided being knocked off his horse several times by fleeing soldiers during his escape. Filled with concern for the city’s safety and regret, he lamented his decision to join the battle merely to gain prestige.

Thurii was only five or six miles from the battlefield. The entire city was anxiously watching this battle, crucial to their city’s fate. Families gathered in homes or in the square, praying for the soldiers.

When the scouts returned to the city in a panic, shouting, "We’ve lost! We’ve lost!..." the news spread rapidly throughout the city. It was like a thunderbolt, leaving the citizens feeling as though the sky had fallen. The faint-hearted fainted on the spot. The suspicious accused the scouts of spreading false rumors and attempted to drag them off their horses for a beating. The pessimistic proclaimed Thurii’s doom, urging everyone to flee the city. Opportunistic scoundrels seized the chance to stir up chaos and profit amidst the disorder. The entire city, especially the square, was filled with cries, creating a scene of utter chaos.

Among the "Nine Generals," the two key decision-makers were at the battlefield. Fortunately, last year’s defeat had given the generals some experience. At this critical moment, generals led by Neonsis stepped forward. First, they sent patrols to restore order in the city. Then, in the square, they rallied the citizens, urging everyone—regardless of age or gender—to take up arms and defend their home. Leading by example, they took their clansmen and slaves to the city walls.

At this moment, Kunogorata and a group of mounted nobles rushed across the drawbridge and into the city.

The citizens immediately surrounded them, demanding news of their relatives. Ignoring their questions, Kunogorata shouted urgently, "The Lucanians are almost here! Close the gates! Close the gates now! Don’t let them break in, or Thurii is doomed!"

Neonsis frowned and said, "If we close the gates, the soldiers won’t be able to enter the city!"

"Have them bypass the walls and jump into the Crati River. We’ll use boats to bring them in! The Lucanians can’t swim!" Kunogorata had devised this plan on his way back.

In this moment of panic and crisis, Kunogorata’s arrival and suggestion gave the citizens a sense of direction. After a brief discussion, they found the plan feasible. They raised the drawbridge, closed the gates, and began shouting from the walls to the fleeing soldiers below, "Jump into the river! We have boats to fetch you! Jump into the river..."

Juleios sent Yasis to the camp ahead to report on the situation while leading his troops in a rapid retreat. Beside him, Lydas held the banner high, guiding the entire army.

The warriors of Pyxios, previously delayed by attacks from light-armed troops, were separated from the mercenaries. Meanwhile, the Grumentum forces, slowed by Phrynis’s desperate resistance, lagged behind. Thus, the mercenaries’ retreat was relatively smooth and without much risk. However, fleeing soldiers continuously merged with their ranks along the way. The mercenaries showed no mercy, knocking them aside with their shields. Yet, the organized retreat of Juleios’s mercenaries attracted the panic-stricken soldiers, who followed them like tame dogs, despite the harsh treatment.

By the time they passed near Thurii, the mercenary ranks had swelled. Juleios paid it no mind, instead observing the many fleeing soldiers gathering under Thurii’s walls and watching for enemy movements. Taking the banner from Yasis, he handed it to Lydas and instructed, "Go to the foot of Thurii’s walls and tell the soldiers there that the Lucanians are almost here. Our camp is very secure, and they can take refuge there."

Lydas complied and departed.

"Turn right!" Juleios shouted, as the red banner flapped in the wind. The troops were directed not to enter the camp through the west gate but to approach the south gate instead.

The Pyxios warriors, led by Genat, continued to pursue the mercenaries. Having never experienced such humiliation in his many battles, Genat was furious. Seeing the Greek mercenaries, who had slaughtered his people, now trying to slip away enraged him further. All he could think about was catching and annihilating them.

Ignoring the fleeing soldiers closer to him, Genat’s forces collided with the Grumentum warriors chasing the Thuriian fugitives. By the time the two forces disentangled, Juleios’s mercenaries had already entered their camp.

Lacking battlefield experience, the Thuriian generals, led by Kunogorata, oversimplified the problem (the one experienced general was already dead).

The shouting from the walls did convince some soldiers to leave the gates and jump into the Crati River. However, many exhausted soldiers refused to detour to the icy river when the city gate was right in front of them. Their begging and cursing delayed them, giving the Grumentum warriors enough time to arrive. After a bloody chase and massacre, even the reluctant soldiers had no choice but to jump into the river. In their panic, they had no time to remove their armor, and many drowned on the spot.

The citizens on the walls watched in despair as their loved ones were slaughtered or drowned. Their wailing was unending. Some women, unable to bear the sight, leaped from the walls to join their husbands in death.

The Lucanians’ savage appearance and this blood-soaked tragedy would haunt the Thuriian people as an eternal nightmare.

The Lucanians’ failure to pursue in time gave Juleios a sigh of relief. His decision not to enter the camp through the west gate but to detour to the south gate proved wise. The panicked fleeing soldiers had indeed disrupted the orderly retreat into the camp.

Climbing the wooden walls, Juleios quickly ordered several fleeing soldiers to be knocked unconscious. This shocked the others into submission, allowing his troops to enter the camp smoothly.

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