Just as Maximus finished speaking, Spartacus chimed in, "Using Pompeii as our new camp has another advantage. Its city walls are solid, aiding in defense. Before I came here, our spies gleaned some information from the tradesmen in the Latium area—"
Looking at everyone with a solemn expression, Spartacus said, "Rome is recruiting soldiers on a large scale. It’s said that young men from towns across the Latium region have flocked to Rome, likely because we defeated the Roman legions last time, provoking the Roman Senate to assemble more legions to come and quell us.
This time, they will certainly be more prepared, and our current camp is too close to Rome. If the Roman army marches at full speed, they could reach us in three or four days, even faster with cavalry. Additionally, though we have many people in each camp, our defenses are poor. If the Roman Army launches a sudden attack like we did previously, the situation could become dire.
However, if we choose Pompeii as our camp, with its thick walls for defense, Mount Vesuvius as a barrier in front, and the sea beside us, it can more effectively prevent sudden attacks from the Roman army, giving us the time to respond appropriately.
My idea is... We can first use Pompeii as a base to reorganize our troops, strengthen our forces, and observe the movements of the Roman Army. After some time, we will then lead our army southward. I hear the south is quite affluent, with large cities like Tarentum, Croton, and Turi. Yet their military strength is not strong, and their relationships with Rome are not as close as those of the Campagnians. Also, being far from Rome, the Roman Army would have to travel long distances to attack us, allowing us ample time to prepare and find opportunities to defeat them!"
After Spartacus finished speaking, the room fell silent.
A moment later, Maximus coughed dryly and complained, "Leader Spartacus, we are currently discussing whether to make Pompeii our new camp, and you’re already talking about moving south. You’re thinking far ahead!"
Spartacus quickly patched things up, "Just learning this news got me thinking a lot, and I spoke out of turn. Maximus, your criticism is valid. Let’s first discuss the issue of Pompeii, whether to make it our new camp and relocate the whole troop there. Let’s take a vote."
"I agree with making Pompeii the new camp," Maximus was the first to say.
"I agree," Spartacus said, and added, "Hamilcar also agrees."
As Hamilcar stated before setting out, the other four had no objections.
"I agree," Antonix was the next to express his stance.
By now, there were already four votes, and when Attutmus also expressed agreement, even if Cross and Enomai opposed, they couldn’t stop Maximus’s proposal from passing.
Therefore, Spartacus loudly declared, "Since the proposal has passed, starting tomorrow, each large unit needs to quickly move to this—"
"Wait!" Cross said loudly, "I heard Pompeii is a small city with only 5,000 people. We have 20,000 people, and more will join later. Can it accommodate so many people?"
"5,000 people are citizens of Pompeii," Maximus said confidently, "Today, I had time to check the town hall records. Including the slaves and freedmen, at least 30,000 people live in this city. By driving out the people of Pompeii, this city can easily accommodate our entire troop."
"30,000 is not much. Considering the number of people joining us daily, in half a month, our troop will exceed 30,000," Cross looked at Spartacus, saying in a deep voice, "Now that our troop has strengthened, we can try to attack towns like Suysula and Lora on the plain, which would provide more supplies to sustain our growing soldier numbers, offer more camp choices, and also train our troops’ combat ability."
"Is that your proposal?" Spartacus frowned. Although his appearance seemed kind, once he put on a stern face, he exuded an imposing authority.
Though Cross made no attempt to avoid his gaze, he felt a bit intimidated, "Yes. But Maximus proposed first, so we can move the troop over and then assemble the forces to attack other towns. You all should know about towns like Suysula and Lora. Compared to Pompeii, their walls are made of earth, lower in height, and with even less population. With our current strength, we can certainly give it a try."
"I think Cross is right. If Maximus can capture Pompeii, and we don’t dare to attack a small town like Suysula, how would our brethren think!" Enomai’s words were even more direct.
"Alright then." Spartacus spoke softly, "Let’s vote now to decide whether to attack the towns on the Campagna Plain."
Cross and Enomai immediately expressed agreement.
Antonix and Attutmus were somewhat hesitant.
"I also agree," Maximus said loudly, surprising Cross a bit.
Maximus certainly wasn’t trying to repay injury with kindness; he believed it was worth a try.
After all, the coastal towns of Campania, regardless of size, were mostly established by Greeks. Hundreds of years ago, these Greek colonists, who traveled far from the Aegean Sea to settle here, used advanced Greek city-building techniques and the wealth gained from maritime trade to build their towns into hard nuts to crack, to defend against native invasions.