"At least seven Roman legions!" Antonix’s expression grew even graver. "The combat power of the Roman legions is not something that the city guards can compare to!"
Hamilcar immediately added, "Furthermore, Cross believes that the Romans must have informed the towns near Turi of their troop movements in advance via sea routes, because he has noticed unusual activity in those towns in recent days. Not only have they shown signs of recruiting soldiers, but they’ve also sent scouts to spy on his camp..."
"If the Romans can use sea routes to command the towns near Turi to join in attacking Cross, it’s likely they can also command Tarentum and its surrounding towns to do the same!" Attutmus reminded.
"Spartacus, what should we do now?!" Several leaders, including Atmidonos, asked nervously, almost in unison.
"Don’t worry too much." Spartacus said firmly, his tone steady and unhurried. "When Free Italy had just over ten thousand men, we annihilated one Roman legion in Campania. This time, the Roman forces have increased seven to eight times, but our soldiers have also grown to over 100,000. We can defeat the Roman army again, just as we did before!"
Spartacus didn’t raise his voice, but his words were filled with confident strength, calming the nerves of Atmidonos and the others.
"Spartacus, how should we handle the impending arrival of this Roman army?" Atmidonos asked again.
Spartacus looked intently at everyone in the military tent. Clenching his fist, he said solemnly, "We’ll focus all our forces and confront the Roman army’s advance head-on! As for the gathering point, the specific location is yet to be decided. My suggestion is to concentrate our troops in the territory of Tarentum and engage the Romans there. However, Cross’s suggestion is to hold the battle on the Turi Plain. What are your thoughts on this?"
Antonix was the first to respond. "Engaging the Romans near Tarentum is undoubtedly better. We have more troops nearby, and it’s easier for us to concentrate our forces there."
"I also think fighting in Tarentum’s territory is best. These days, we’ve witnessed it ourselves—Metapontum is very close to us, and camping 20,000 men here has already consumed a considerable amount of provisions. If we were to move to the Turi Plain, it might collapse our supply chain," Hamilcar raised a logistical concern that garnered the leaders’ attention.
"I agree that facing the Romans here in Tarentum is the right choice." Maximus said.
Attutmus then promptly echoed Spartacus’s suggestion, easing Hamilcar’s earlier worries. Hamilcar had been concerned that Maximus might propose gathering the troops in Apulia instead.
Of course, Hamilcar had no way of knowing Maximus’s inner thoughts. Maximus had his own reasoning: Since the rebel army in his previous life had achieved victories during this period, he only needed to follow Spartacus’s lead and obey his orders. There was no need to make unconventional moves and risk disrupting history.
"Earlier, we decided to assemble our troops to attack Metapontum, but Chief Cross hasn’t followed the command and still hasn’t brought his troops here. Now he wants us all to move to the Turi Plain to help him defend his camp. Isn’t he thinking too much of himself?" Phitodorus’s sarcastic remark brought up an issue that everyone had deliberately avoided discussing.
Spartacus immediately issued a solemn warning. "Phitodorus, the Roman army is about to arrive. We must focus everything on confronting them head-on. Don’t say things that could disrupt unity!"
"Leader Spartacus, I didn’t mean anything else. Now that everyone has agreed to fight the Romans in Tarentum’s territory, will Chief Cross—who isn’t here—agree to leave the Turi Plain and lead his troops to Tarentum to join your camp?" Phitodorus raised a concern that was on everyone’s mind.
Spartacus replied without hesitation, "He will!"
............................................................
The following morning, Spartacus issued the order for a retreat. Although the leaders temporarily kept the information about the imminent arrival of the Roman army confidential as instructed, the hasty conclusion of the siege still caused considerable unrest.
Maximus paid no attention to the impact the termination of the siege had on troop morale. He led his troops directly north along the main road and returned to Sarabia only two days later, where he convened an emergency meeting with all the heads of the forces.
First, he introduced Pequot and the over a thousand soldiers he led who joined the army (600 of whom had perished during several battles for Metapontum). Then, he shared the news about the imminent arrival of a Roman army, comprising seven to eight legions. He also announced that, after discussions at the officers’ meeting, the various rebel divisions would concentrate their forces in Tarentum’s territory to confront the Roman army.
This news made everyone present nervous, but Maximus assured them with unwavering confidence: The rebel army would surely defeat the incoming Roman forces!
At the same time, he solemnly reminded everyone to prepare themselves for the possibility of an immediate retreat, just in case.
The Maximus Army originally started as a humble supply team despised by many in the rebel ranks. It grew rapidly under Maximus’s leadership, becoming a significant force within the rebel army. All the heads in the room had risen to their positions because of Maximus’s recognition and support. Now, Maximus had complete command over this force. Despite some heads worrying about the upcoming battle, none of them objected to Maximus’s instructions at this critical moment. Instead, they began fulfilling their duties as ordered.