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 Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 7:31 pm
Tarentum is situated on a peninsula and of course is a port city.
This city is has two ports. One is the Mar Grande, or Big sea, where the commercial port is located. The second is Mar Piccolo (Small sea) and the fishing industry there flourishes.
The islets and the coast are strongly fortified
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:10 am
The Mercenary Warband known as the Black Company, 1800 Veteran warriors, assembled outside the gates of Tarantum in Marching Order, Corinthian Helms resting on their brows for those who had them, and javelins and spears resting in the crooks of their arms.
At the extreme forward right of the marching formation was the tireless strategos Lyconatus, who was reading news brought to him by one of his camp followers.
The Romans had refortified their frontline against the Samnites and installed new commanders. It was unpleasant but not unexpected news. That meant they would soon attack.
The Black Company had been hired with Samnite Gold to help them combat the Romans, a strange request for Mercenaries such as the Samnites. perhaps they were few of men, or wished for Lyconatus' advice. Regardless of the reasons, he knew he had to hurry north if he wished to blunt the Roman advance. Inferior Roman equipment would shatter upon the Anvil of his Phalanx, the pieces picked off by his peltasts and archers.
As he bid the messenger away, a woman in a grey Chiton made her way towards him. Lyconatus pulled his Helm up and nodded towards her.
"Something you need, Heraias?"
The woman suddenly threw her arms around him, an action that hardly fazed the hoplite, who embraced her with his non shield laden arm.
"Please...please be safe." The woman begged as she held her husband.
"I will." He answered. "But you must be strong for me. I leave the home and our daughters in your care."
"I know...I just always fear the worst when you go to fight...we have enough money. Why can you not be a farmer here in Tarantum where I never have to worry about you?"
"Aye, we have money. But we need even more to rebuild a city, and it will be with spears that we will wrest it from Thebes' hands, not hoes."
"Is that all you can ever think about?" Heraias sighed.
"No." Lyconatus said as he kissed her tenderly, reminding her who would occupy his thoughts while on campaign.
She smiled tiredly and released him from her grasp "Why must you be so Laconic? Would it hurt to say something poetic?"
"A Cretan woman would never understand." He smirked as he pulled his helmet back down. A free man, no matter the race, born among the Laconians can not help bu become Laconic himself."
Hefting his Dory, he turned to his men and issued his orders.
"Erebennos Xenologion! EpipropherÅ!" He declared.
Shouting an affirmative as one, the Black Company marched out with its supplies, camp followers and provisions to make war upon the Romans.
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