Chapter 25: Before the Battle

Chapter 25: Before the Battle

Maximus hurriedly approached Hamilcars side. Hamilcar glanced at him, then looked ahead and said, The Romans are here. Despite Hamilcars efforts to appear calm, Maximus could still hear the tension in his voice.

Maximus looked into the distance and saw Roman cavalry in groups of ten, advancing in a fan-shaped formation towards the vineyard. In the far distance, a long line of soldiers was approaching. Two standard-bearers led the way, draped in wolf skins and holding eagle emblems and flags. Behind them were several trumpeters carrying long horns, followed by Roman legionnaires. They marched in five parallel columns, each wearing a red waistcoat, a Gallic-style helmet, and segmented armor, and carrying a large red shield in their left hand and a heavy javelin in their right. They had a short Roman sword on their left side and a short dagger on their right They walked with their heads held high, exuding an imposing aura. This was not just a simple march, but a force ready for battle. At the end of the long line, there were several auxiliary soldiers wearing leather helmets and chainmail, armed with long spears and large shields. Even the equipment of these less valued Roman auxiliaries far surpassed that of the majority of rebel soldiers. The whole formation was followed by a dozen or so wagons and some army slaves.

The Roman army, with their shining helmets and bright armor, sparkled in the sunlight, emitting a dazzling light

Hamilcar and Maximus squinted their eyes, holding their breath, and stood still, observing for quite a while.

Hamilcar exclaimed angrily, There are more than just 2,000 or 3,000 men. It has already exceeded 4,000!

About 4,300, Maximus said with certainty.

I must quickly inform Spartacus! Hamilcar turned and ran towards the camp.

Maximus remained standing, continuing to observe the advancing Roman army. They were not moving at a fast pace. It took about half an hour for them to approach the olive oil farm, which was about 1.5 kilometers away. By this time, the rebel forces had roughly completed their formation.

Spartacus, Crixus, and several other leaders also arrived near Maximus to observe the enemy.

Hamilcar pulled Maximus aside and whispered in his ear, As the leader of the Logistics Team, you should stay with your subordinates at a time like this instead of wandering around here!

Maximus was alert, realizing that he had been too curious about the Roman legion and had momentarily forgotten his duty. He quickly apologized and humbly asked for advice, Teacher, I was wrong! What should I do now?

Hamilcar looked serious and said, The Logistics Team consists mainly of women, elderly, and children. You should gather them together and comfort them! And

So, how long do we have to wait? Why not take the initiative and attack them now while the Romans have fewer troops? Oenomaus impatiently suggested.

Since we have already formulated a battle plan in advance, we should execute it according to the plan! Spartacus said in a deep voice.

Even Crixus, who usually boasted of his bravery, agreed with Spartacus opinion at this moment. Seeing the well-organized Roman army below the hill, he felt a bit intimidated.

As a result, the rebel army continued to wait silently on the slope, while the Roman legion remained motionless below, with only the Roman auxiliary soldiers toiling away.

As time passed, the clamor within the rebel army grew louder. The once dense formation gradually became sparse. The soldiers chatted and joked to alleviate the tension. Some even sat down on the ground due to the scorching sun and prolonged standing. Spartacus and his comrades had to hurry to their respective units, doing their best to inspire the soldiers and maintain their dwindling morale.

Similar circumstances occurred within the Roman army, but the veteran officers performed more efficiently, resulting in the soldiers displaying better discipline.

Both sides stood facing each other, several miles apart, until noon. By then, the trench behind the Roman army had been mostly dug, and the earthen wall had been erected, complete with designated entrances and exits. Roman commander Glaber gave the order, and the Roman soldiers began withdrawing one by one into the earthen wall and the olive oil farm.

The Roman army didnt launch the attack Spartacus had anticipated, which disappointed him. However, when he saw the rebel soldiers lying and resting on the ground behind him, he couldnt help but feel relieved.

Although no battle took place that day, the Roman army had come dangerously close. This made the rebel forces nervous, prompting Spartacus and his comrades to hold another urgent meeting. After discussing, they decided to temporarily continue with their original plan and wait for the Romans to attack. But at the same time, they would strengthen the camps defenses to prevent enemy sneak attacks.

On the Roman side, Glaber also feared a sneak attack from the rebels. He ordered the auxiliary soldiers to continue setting traps and constructing palisades outside the trench. He also arranged multiple patrols within the camp to keep watch throughout the night.

Although it was an uneventful day, many people didnt sleep well, including Maximus. After all, whether in his past life or the present one, it was his first experience of war.

But as the rooster crowed at dawn, Maximus immediately got up and headed to the kitchen.

Without any need for his urging, Agnes had already led her team to busy themselves because they were well aware that if the rebel army suffered a defeat, they could face dire consequences. The only thing they could do was to quickly prepare delicious food, ensuring the soldiers ate their fill and had abundant strength to fight the enemy.