Chapter 217. The Whole of Greece 3 The 70,000 cavalry led by Bayatur and the 200,000 legionaries commanded by Sextus confronted each other on the plains of Thessaly, near Larisa.
The vast area, stretching for tens of kilometers, allowed for the free movement of large armies regardless of their size. Despite the imposing sight of the distant Roman forces, Bayatur felt no intimidation. On the contrary, seeing the Roman formations filling the plains delighted him.
The sheer number of the enemy, appearing nearly three times that of his own forces, pleased him immensely. The large Roman presence indicated that most of the forces defending Greece had gathered for this battle.
Crushing the enemy here would mean the major cities of Greece, currently under siege, would no longer be able to hold out.
Upon seeing the widely spread Roman formations at a considerable distance, Bayatur immediately gave the order to charge. The moment he saw the enemy's formation, he had already envisioned the entire flow of the battle in his mind.
"Follow me well! As long as you don't lose sight of my tail, we will win this battle!"
As he spurred his horse forward like lightning, 70,000 cavalry began their charge in unison.
"Waaaah! Let's go!"
The hooves of the Xiongnu warriors' horses trampled the green fields, and their battle cries echoed across the plains. The Roman soldiers, who had formed their lines and were observing the enemy's movements, could not help but be startled.
The sight of the Xiongnu charging headlong without even forming proper formations was completely beyond their understanding.
"Those ignorant barbarian bastards! The enemy is coming! Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Without even building their fortifications or arranging their formations, the enemy had closed the distance alarmingly fast. Surprisingly, despite appearing to charge chaotically, the Xiongnu elite had quickly organized into a certain formation.
The Roman archers hastily shot their arrows, but none managed to draw their bows more than twice due to the short distance. The 60,000 light cavalry of the Xiongnu effortlessly dodged the scattered arrows of the Romans and unleashed a volley of their own arrows onto the Roman left flank's cavalry.
"Aaagh!"
"Their entire force is penetrating our left flank!"
It was only then that Sextus and his staff realized their mistake. They had positioned their soldiers in the traditional line formation, just as they were accustomed to, which turned out to be a grave error.
Even combining their allied cavalry, they had only 30,000 cavalry, which they had divided and placed on both flanks. This left them with no means to stop the enemy cavalry that had swiftly pressed into their left flank.
Moreover, the stark difference in skill between the two sides was evident even after exchanging just a single volley of arrows. The cavalry led by Bayatur were the elite of the elite, having grown up in the steppes where struggle was a way of life and constantly honing their skills in battle.
In contrast, most of Sextus's army consisted of soldiers hastily gathered to defend against the Xiongnu invasion.
It was an excruciating loss for him to have lost more than half of the elite soldiers who originally followed him in the consecutive civil wars against Gnaeus and Caesar. To boost the morale of his army, he had placed experienced soldiers at the front lines, but this had turned into a major blunder.
This tragedy stemmed not from Sextus's lack of ability but purely from his lack of experience. Having never fought a proper battle against a nomadic tribe, he naturally adhered to traditional tactics. Without significant experience, only someone like Caesar could arrange the optimal formation.
"The enemy's left flank is wavering! Break through and slaughter them mercilessly!"
Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the concentrated fire of the Xiongnu cavalry, Bayatur led a charge with 10,000 heavy cavalry. At the same time, the light cavalry, who had switched from bows to curved swords, followed suit and charged.
Thud! Thwack!
"Aaagh!"
"Retreat! What are the other units doing? We need reinforcements here, quickly!"
Bayatur easily overran the disorganized Roman left flank and began to focus his attacks on the poorly armed rear lines of the enemy. His primary targets were the inexperienced recruits and the poorly equipped allied soldiers.
Even in a battle with 200,000 versus 70,000, not all 70,000 cavalry would be fighting the 200,000 soldiers simultaneously. In a line formation, at best, only the left flank and the hastily repositioned central legion could effectively respond to the enemy.
Moreover, Bayatur's relentless attacks on the allied forces and the recruits in the rear threw the soldiers into a state of utter chaos. Bayatur was like a wolf instinctively sensing and attacking the weak points of his prey. Wherever he struck, the formation collapsed, and a path was created.
"Get a grip! Hold the line and face them calmly!"
Sextus, who had rushed over from the center, tried to rally the soldiers, but it was too late. The elite soldiers positioned at the front tried to engage the enemy, but the allied troops, being attacked by the Xiongnu, had completely lost their will to fight.
The allied soldiers, who had become more of a hindrance than a help, caused the formation to crumble uncontrollably.
"Uuugh! Help me! I don't want to die!"
"You said we'd only need to support safely from the rear. This is not what we agreed on!"
Amidst the chaos, the number of soldiers being trampled and stabbed by their own side was equal to those killed by the Xiongnu's blades. Faced with the growing disaster, Sextus made a decisive decision.
In the past, he might have been paralyzed by indecision and watched the front collapse, but this time it was different.
'The allied soldiers are no longer useful. It's better to abandon them and reorganize the formation…'
He organized his thoughts and quickly issued orders to the legion commanders to stabilize the crumbling formation. Meanwhile, the cavalry on the right flank, acting on their own initiative, charged to intercept the rear of the Xiongnu forces.
The urgent desire to save the collapsing left flank had made it impossible for them to make rational decisions.
"Fools! Who told you to act on your own! Wait for orders!"
Despite his urgent shouts, the cavalry continued to advance, kicking up dust in the distance. Seeing this, Bayatur, who had been wreaking havoc on the Roman left flank and rear, immediately pulled his forces back upon noticing the approaching cavalry from the right flank.
Sextus could only watch as the heated Roman cavalry pursued them. Bayatur, noting that the Roman cavalry had created some distance from the infantry, suddenly halted the retreat and sharply changed direction.
The Xiongnu cavalry, following Bayatur, split into three groups and encircled the advancing Roman cavalry in a fan-shaped formation.
This was an entirely different level of horsemanship and troop management.
The isolated Roman cavalry, now caught in the trap, met their end in a pitifully futile manner. With the cavalry force completely neutralized, even Sextus's Roman army had little left to do.
Under Bayatur's command, 60,000 light cavalry spread out in a wide formation and unleashed a barrage of arrows. Meanwhile, Bayatur's heavy cavalry continued to exploit the enemy's weak defenses, engaging in a brutal massacre.
At this point, the inexperienced soldiers had already lost their will to fight and were being consumed by fear. Although they were clearly outnumbering the enemy, they were being bombarded with arrows and spears from all directions.
A deep sense of terror slowly enveloped the soldiers' eyes. The collapse of an army on the battlefield is usually not due to the enemy's weapons but rather the demoralization and retreat of its own troops. The Roman forces were no different.
Humans are inherently susceptible to the spread of fear. Even a warrior with unwavering mental strength can be affected when those around him begin to tremble in fear.
"Uuugh! S-save me! I don't want to die!"
"W-what is happening? Aren't they just barbarians?"
The allied soldiers were the first to abandon the front lines, followed by the legionaries, who began to turn their backs one by one. The battle was effectively over.
"Aaagh!"
Screams erupted everywhere, and even the centurions fell, bleeding and collapsing. The Xiongnu cavalry, skilled in killing, systematically slaughtered the Roman troops.
Chasing down and killing fleeing infantry was second nature to these seasoned warriors. Moreover, the Thessalian plains stretched for tens of kilometers with no cover to hide, making it inevitable that no one could survive if the 70,000 cavalry pursued them with intent.
"This can't be... How could this happen..."
Pompeius and Gabinius felt as if they were trapped in a nightmare. They had started the battle with a guaranteed victory, confident in their position, and with a numerical advantage of three to one. But in an instant, their cavalry had been neutralized, and their formation completely shattered.
It was no longer a situation where leadership and tactics could make a difference.
The situation was such that he had to worry about complete annihilation, not just the outcome of the battle.
"Sextus, you must retreat!"
"Seek refuge in the nearest Demetrias and plan for the future!"
Despite the desperate pleas from the two men, Sextus did not turn his head. Instead, he merely watched with bloodshot eyes as his dying subordinates bled out. In his heart, he wanted nothing more than to tear apart his own beating heart in madness.
He now fully understood why Marcus had emphasized not maneuvering in the plains. If he had only fortified his defenses and waited for Caesar and Marcus's main forces, he could have driven off the enemy. His own overreach had ruined the war.
Regardless of what the clients said, he should have maintained his composure and stayed calm. But the spilled water could no longer be gathered.
Other commanders who had fought to the death could not be held responsible for the defeat. However, it was different for him, who was responsible for the defense of all of Greece.
If this defeat caused all the cities of Greece to fall to the Xiongnu, Rome and Asia Minor would be in danger. What could he possibly say about being responsible for the lives of 200,000 who had trusted and followed him?
"This defeat cannot be atoned for by anything. So..."
Resolute, Sextus began to gather the scattered surviving cavalry and issued a retreat order to the entire army.
"All troops, do not look back and flee. Units with the strength to head to Demetrias should make their way there, while the rest should seek refuge in the mountains and forests where the enemy cavalry cannot follow!"
Although the command could not be properly conveyed to the already collapsing units, the general message reached everyone.
However, unlike other officers, Sextus did not escape on horseback. Instead, he carried the banner symbolizing the supreme commander on his back and desperately encouraged the soldiers from the rear, blocking the enemy's pursuit.
The elite soldiers who had served him loyally since the Pompeian era also read his resolve and stayed behind with him. Sextus did not need to tell them to escape.
Gabinius and Pompeius sensed they could no longer persuade their lord and attempted to stay with him. Sextus, trying to dissuade the two men, handed his sword over to Gabinius. It was the sword he had inherited from Pompey and had cherished like his own life.
"I cannot allow this sword, symbolizing invincibility, to fall into their hands. Please deliver this sword to Marcus. In exchange, Gabinius, may I borrow your sword?"
Gabinius, choked up and unable to speak, unbuckled his sword and handed it over.
Receiving the sword calmly, Sextus delivered his final words, which would be his last will.
"The defense of the Peloponnesian mountain range cannot be maintained with the current forces. Do not continue to hold Demetrias; instead, head directly to Athens and defend it.
As soon as you arrive in Athens, mobilize the fleet to support all the Greek cities that have not yet fallen with supplies and assistance.
And you must convey this message to the Greeks: This is the last will of Sextus, your patron. I apologize for not being able to protect you due to my inadequacies.
But Rome will never abandon you. Endure and rise again. Rome does not fall. From this moment on, your patron is Marcus Mesopotamicus."
"Sextus... That message..."
"If you meet Marcus, though it is shameless, please ask him to take care of things behind me."
With those final words, Sextus moved to the rear of the retreating allied forces, leading his subordinates.
It was not merely a matter of atoning for his defeat with his life. He needed to save as many of his men as possible to hand them over to Marcus. And the more time he could buy here, the more time would be available to safely send the fleet to Asia Minor.
He would safeguard the spark that could ensure a future. This was the only way Sextus could take responsibility for his mistake.
"Let's show them the pride of Rome clearly!"
The elite soldiers, prepared to sacrifice their lives, even stripped off their new gear to exchange with other soldiers' equipment. It was an expression of their resolve not to give the enemy any advantage.
Drawing his sword and advancing, Sextus momentarily recalled the beautiful sights of Rome he would never see again.
'Come to think of it, I forgot to ask that my sister not face any hardships without me.'
He felt no regret. He had chosen this path and would face the fate it brought without evasion.
It might seem a bit irresponsible, but Sextus was confident that Marcus and Caesar would somehow ensure the future of Rome. In fact, it might be better for the future of Rome if he handed over everything to Marcus. Looking ahead decades into the future, this could turn out to be a positive choice after all.
The only regret was that he had brought shame upon his father's name.
'At least I won't be lonely, as there are those who will be with me.'
Although his life had many regrets and sorrows, he had no regrets about his choices. Sextus and his subordinates, having renewed their resolve, held their ground and continued to fend off the Hunnic pursuit until the very end.
However, no matter how fiercely one fights, there are always limits. At the entrance of the gorge leading to Demetrias, the retreating Roman forces could not repel the Hunnic pursuit any longer and allowed them to close in.
"Not even half remain..."
The number of proud subordinates who had fought valiantly to the end was now only a few hundred. Sextus, watching as Bayatur's forces drew closer, wore a defiant smile on his lips. Even facing death, he showed no fear as he stepped forward and drew his sword.
"I am Sextus, son of the great Pompey Magnus! I will show you the pride of Rome!"
Repelling the enemy and retreating was no longer feasible. Therefore, all he had left to show was his spirit. Although Bayatur did not understand the exact words, he understood the intention from seeing the Roman commander coming at them with only a few hundred troops.
"The supreme commander remains at the rear to open a path for his subordinates to the end... I will honor that intent and personally take his life."
At Bayatur's signal, the cavalrymen drew their curved swords instead of their bows.
Bayatur's approach was so swift that Sextus could barely keep up with his eyes.
With a loud clang and a shower of sparks, Sextus's body could not withstand the shock, and he lost his balance, falling from his horse.
"Ugh!"
Even though the ground was soft grass, pain surged through his whole body, and blood gushed from his mouth. Still, Sextus forced himself to rise, get into position, and wield his weapon.
Though it might have looked comical, Bayatur did not mock him. Instead, he too dismounted and properly engaged with Sextus's resolve.
Clang!
With a single strike, Sextus's body was sent flying far away. Had it not been for the superior craftsmanship of the sword, it would have been no surprise if both armor and sword had split in two.
Bayatur was not only the greatest strategist but also an unparalleled warrior on the steppes. From the beginning, there was no chance Sextus could even touch a hair on him.
"Ugh... What a monstrous opponent."
Just facing his sword was enough to make the muscles in Sextus's arms feel like they were tearing, and his legs tremble uncontrollably. It was an overwhelming force that reminded him of Spartacus from the gladiatorial games of old.
Still, Sextus gritted his teeth and endured. It was nothing short of miraculous. The difference in skill between them made it entirely unsurprising that the outcome could be decided in seconds. Yet, Sextus continued to fight, his exposed areas covered in blood, rolling on the ground in a grotesque display.
"If you don't kill me! You shall not pass this place! Do not flee, invaders!"
Sextus's roar, eyes glaring, evoked a faint sense of admiration on Bayatur's face. There was no need for translation; it was clear what he was saying.
Even with the determination to sacrifice his life, showing this level of surpassing endurance was not something anyone could easily achieve. However, the gap in strength and skill was not something that could be easily bridged.
Clang!
With a sharp metallic sound, Sextus's sword broke and flew into the air.
Slash!
At the same time, Bayatur's scimitar pierced through Sextus's chest.
"…Ugh!"
With a final scream of agony, Sextus's vision began to blur. Just as Bayatur was certain of victory and prepared to withdraw his sword, Sextus, with his last ounce of strength, grasped Bayatur's arm with his left hand and swung the half-broken sword with his right hand.
Swish!
Bayatur lightly tilted his body backward, and a single strand of his hair was cut and fell to the ground. Despite the meager result of merely a strand of hair, Sextus managed a satisfied smile and spoke.
"My… inability to match my father, the great Pompey, is my regret. If… he were still alive, could… you scoundrels… have acted so recklessly?"
Recognizing the mention of "Pompey," Bayatur nodded slowly as Sextus closed his eyes with a look of relief.
"Pompey Agyuk. A fitting end for the bloodline of the great general."
He calmly expressed his thoughts, gazing at the fallen Sextus's body for a moment before turning away.
"Recover the body and send it to the Romans. He fought valiantly to the end, so we should honor him with at least that much respect."
"And what about the pursuit?"
"We've killed as many as needed. We must also gather usable equipment from the dead, so we should take some time to reorganize."
"I will follow your orders."
Unlike his elated subordinates celebrating the great victory, Bayatur remained composed, reflecting on the current situation. This battle was one that seemed certain to win from the start. What truly mattered now was the next steps.
There was no way Rome would willingly cede the crucial economic region of Greece to the Huns. It was evident that Rome would escalate to total war with all its might after this battle. Bayatur had an intuitive sense of who the next adversary would be.
The news of the annihilation of the special forces when he briefly returned to Sinegatchar, abandoning Gaul, was a painful blow, no matter how one looked at it.
Having failed to gain the time he desired, he would soon face the full might of Rome.
'I hoped for this. Here, I will determine who the true victor is.'
The only opponent who had dealt him a flawless defeat, one he could not even respond to in his past incompetence. In his eyes, waiting for the moment of revenge, the suppressed fighting spirit was flowing strongly.
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