Secondly, the rapid expansion in numbers also led to a swift decline in military discipline. Conflicts between soldiers and between armies increased. As early as half a month ago, the rebel army’s various divisions no longer co-existed in Pompeii but stationed separately in the towns they had captured. Although this temporarily quelled the discord, the uneven development of each army remained a lurking threat.
For example, compared to other armies, Maximus’s troops were very well-stocked with supplies and could even do business with southern merchants through the port, constantly increasing their reserves. For this reason, leaders like Cross and Enomai repeatedly proposed that Maximus hand over the port for everyone’s shared use. Maximus firmly refused but made some concessions, agreeing to provide some urgently needed supplies to other groups for compensation.
It was precisely these dual reasons that prompted the rebel army’s Military Commander Conference to specifically discuss the issue of the entire army moving southward, and they soon reached a consensus. A general military meeting was then convened, gaining the approval of most soldiers, and so the plan to march south was quickly implemented.
The first to take action and the two leaders most eager to move south were Cross and Enomai. The route chosen by the armies they led was to head straight south along Latina Avenue, enter the Lucania Region, and step onto Ania Avenue. The endpoint of Ania Avenue is Regium, which faces the Messina Strait, but their current destination was Turi, midway...
Next to depart were the other armies of the rebel army. Instead of heading straight south, they turned north, passing through Capua, then turned east into the Samnium Mountain Area to reach Benevento.
Benevento is the largest town in the Samnium Region, also a transportation hub, with a relatively large population and thriving commerce. The Samnite Mountain People were once very valiant (after all, they had repeatedly defeated the Romans and resisted Rome for decades), so the City Guard was not weak, but faced with the overpowering force of more than 40,000 rebels, the Benevento people had no courage at all to drive these invaders out, shrinking back into the city early and leaving the rebel army to ravage the fields and pastures outside the city.
It was just that when the frightened Benevento people queued up in front of the Hercules Temple inside the city to sincerely pray for safety, they had no idea that the rebel army, like locusts, scavenging everything left outside the city, had no plan at all to attack Benevento City.
Maximus, looking at Spartacus, Antonix, Hamilcar, and later two other leaders who were there to see him off, said solemnly, "Everyone take care, we will lead the army and head out first!"
"You all take care too, keep in touch in time, and after arriving in the south, we will meet again!" Spartacus reminded in a serious tone.
"We will!" Maximus’s wandering gaze finally rested on Hamilcar, and with the concern shown in his eyes, Maximus nodded slightly, then extended his right hand and powerfully struck his chest, "See you in Tarentum!"
"See you in Tarentum!" the crowd responded.
Maximus mounted his horse, waved his right hand forcefully forward, and shouted loudly, "The whole army, move out!"
"Woo!..." The high and long copper horn sounded, and the soldiers of Maximus’s army, who were already assembled, began to march forward. Though their equipment was somewhat varied and their ranks appeared a bit scattered, each soldier marched with high spirits and a vigorous aura...
Spartacus observed, nodded, and said, "Maximus has trained his soldiers well!"
"That’s because he is the one among us with the fewest new recruits, and he monopolizes Pompeii Port, obtaining enough supplies to satisfy his soldiers..." Antonix’s words revealed dissatisfaction.
Spartacus said nothing.
Hamilcar glanced sideways at him, thinking: Maximus’s occupation of Pompeii Port was agreed upon after everyone’s discussion at that time. His trade with southern merchants was something he developed himself, and he did not keep the rare supplies he acquired solely for himself; everyone had their share. If it were you, Antonix, could you do the same? Let alone trying to attract merchants to trade, even if given a port?!
Though Hamilcar thought this, he did not say it out loud. After all, Antonix, who hailed from Thrace, was one of his own people, always honoring Spartacus as the leader, and their relationship was relatively close.
"Besides, Maximus’s soldiers are only well-trained but lack combat experience. These two months we’ve captured so many towns and cities; he, Maximus, either hid in Pompeii or followed other armies from behind—"
"That’s not right." Hamilcar couldn’t hold back anymore and opened his mouth to point out the other’s mistake: "Besides Pompeii, wasn’t Abella City also captured by Maximus leading his army! And he did it with his troops alone, without asking others for help!"
Antonix was stunned for a moment, then muttered, "That was only once..."
"Enough, we’re here today to see our brothers off." Spartacus frowned and reminded, "Attutmus is coming."
Hamilcar and Antonix fell silent, looking up, they saw the leader Attutmus leading soldiers, closely following Maximus’s troops, coming over this way...
The rebel army split their forces at Benevento: the two armies led by Maximus and Attutmus were to head east through the Samnium Mountain Area, enter the Apulia Region, and then turn south, with the destination being northeast of Tarentum; while the armies led by Spartacus, Antonix, and the two newly joined leaders were to march directly southeast, passing through the Samnium Mountain Area, through the Lucania Region, and finally reaching near Tarentum.