ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 1144 The Uneasy Xenophon
It was not entirely accidental that the expeditionary army of the Holy Kingdom of Dionia docked and camped in Ellis.As an outlier in the Peloponnesian League, Ellis was already under Daves' consideration. What's more, the Ellis region and the Arcadia region are close to Messenia, and those who fled to these two regions There are many Messenians, and the seven or eight citizens of Ellis who sang just now were born in Messenia.Previously, because of military confidentiality, the Dionysians did not publicize it to the outside world. Now they need to let the people of the entire Greek world know that Dionysia sent troops to the Peloponnese not only to fulfill the covenant, but also to help Messenia. People need to restore their country, and Ellis of the Path can help them do just that.

After singing a song, the relationship between Tisias and the Eleans was quickly drawn closer, and the Eleans also began to discuss some cooperation matters with him. After all, they were all ready to join forces with the Arcadians to fight against the Ticeans. Sparta is here, and now Dionia's army attacking Sparta is right in front of you. Isn't this a better opportunity for cooperation!
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At dusk that day, due to the huge noise of the Dionian army landing on the coast, not only the people of Ellis received the news, but it also quickly spread to neighboring city-states, such as Olympia and Pisa, and not far east of Olympia. , the small town Triphilia (triphlia), which originally belonged to Ellis but was forcibly taken away by Sparta.

In a village called Scillus under Triphilia, there is a large house in which the respected Persian expedition hero and the famous Athenian scholar Xenophon lives.

Xenophon, who returned from the Persian expedition more than 20 years ago, was expelled when he returned to Athens. He had to lead mercenaries again and followed the Spartan King Agesilaus to conquer Asia Minor. He performed military exploits and was therefore punished by Agesilaus. Xenophon regarded him as a distinguished guest of Sparta and assigned him land here. Xenophon has lived here for nearly 20 years and has regarded it as his second hometown.

In addition to following the Spartan army to fight abroad, he usually spent more time in the quiet and peaceful village, concentrating on thinking and writing articles. Sometimes he took his children and slaves to the nearby forest to hunt and relax, and lived a very special life. In addition to the comfortable pastoral life, he also raised his own money to build the Temple of Arthenis near the village of Skilos and worshiped it every year. He hoped that this god could protect this area and keep it peaceful and tranquil.

Tonight, as usual, he sat in his study, lit an oil lamp, and began to conceive of his new book "History of Greece". This was a new idea that he had come up with after the completion of "The Expedition" a few years ago. He wanted to continue writing the revision. He was very familiar with the series of events that occurred in mainland Greece after Cydides wrote the "History of the Peloponnesian War", many of which he had personally experienced.

Just when he was concentrating on thinking and writing, a sudden shout broke the tranquility of the village, and it did not disappear quickly, but made the whole village boil.

Xenophon had to put down his pen and walked out of the study. As soon as he walked into the yard, he ran into his eldest son head-on. He said in a little panic: "Father, I heard from the villagers that the army of Dionia is in love. Land on the coast of Leith and prepare to attack inland!”

Dionia declares war on Ellis? !How can this be? !Dionia and Ellis have never had any contact, and there was no warning in advance. Why did the war suddenly break out? ! ...Xenophon was confused and then asked: "Are the news you heard true?!"

"I heard from the villagers that several Olympian priests happened to go to the villages in Ellis to pay funerals. I saw with my own eyes that the Dionia ship was docked on the beach, and I couldn't see the end..."

Xenophon's expression became serious. He thought about it and said to his son: "Go out and tell the villagers, just say it was me who said it, and tell them not to panic, even if the Dionian army really wants to attack the interior. , is still far away from us, we have enough time to make preparations, let them go home to rest, and don't gather in groups to make noise in the dark, which may easily cause panic and accidents!"

Not long after his son went out, the noise gradually died down, which showed Xenophon's prestige in the village.

Where did Xenophon still have the desire to write at this time, he paced back and forth in the yard irritably, thinking about the fact that "Sparta was going to end the peace agreement with Dionia early": he felt very much about it at the time. Uneasy, but it is a pity that people speak softly, and even Agesilaus's strong objections could not stop him.Well now, not long after the agreement was suspended, Dionia's army set foot on the land of Alice. How much impact will this have on the situation in the Peloponnese and the entire Greek mainland? !

Xenophon had just been to Thurii, and he had a deeper understanding of the strength of the Kingdom of Dionia. He couldn't help but tremble when he thought that this terrible beast finally came out of the cage and pounced on the Greek mainland. , there was only one thought in his mind: rush to Sparta immediately, tell them about this, and let them quickly discuss a good way to put this giant beast back in the cage!

But...is there really a good way? ... Xenophon looked up at the dark night sky, remembering the incomprehensible look on his smiling face when he met Davos before...

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In the early morning of the second day, the Dionia crew pushed the ship away from the beach, the soldiers quickly boarded the ship, and the entire fleet continued to sail south.

Seeing that the Dionians really left, the Ellis people breathed a sigh of relief, and they will be impatient to wait for the drastic changes in the south.

There is one more person in this Dionysian fleet, that is, Ionicus, an Elisian member of Messenian descent who had previously spoken to Tisias. He took the initiative to apply to join the army as a love interest. Lis was the liaison with the Dionian army and also served as a guide, so he was approved by Commander Leoticides and appeared on the flagship of the First Fleet.

At this time, he pointed to the coast in front of him on the left and said in a trembling voice: "After passing this headland, we will enter the waters of Messenia!"

"Don't be nervous, we have so many warships, the Spartan fleet will not dare to invade." Tisias comforted him.

"I'm not nervous, but a little excited." Ionicus let out a long breath.

Tisias looked at him, nodded empathetically, and said softly: "Me too."

At this time, the lookout on the top of the flagship's main mast shouted loudly: "The clipper ahead raised a yellow flag!"

Sekerian, who was standing on the bow of the ship and looking ahead, immediately said to the flagship captain: "Tell the first squadron to maintain the formation, continue to move forward, and ignore it unless the other party launches an attack."

"Yes!"

The reason why Sekerian dared to issue such an order was because he had already understood clearly that Sparta currently had no more than 40 warships, and more than half of them were from allies, which was not enough to pose a threat to the First Fleet.In the entire Greek mainland, perhaps only the Athenian fleet could cheer up Sekerian a little.

What actually appeared in front of the 1st Fleet were two Spartan patrol ships. They originally just wanted to warn the Dionysian fleet to stay away from the offshore route, but the 1st Fleet went straight forward without paying any attention. A warship was approaching in the wind and waves. The Spartan crew had already become frightened and quickly turned around and retreated south.

Compared with the army, the Spartan navy was inferior to the earth. Except for the victory of the Sheep Horse River under the leadership of Lysander in the past, it had no brilliant achievements. In recent years, it has been beaten to disgrace by the Athenian navy one after another. Morale is extremely low, and they dare not challenge the huge Dionia fleet at this moment.

Soon no Spartan warships appeared nearby, and the entire Dionia fleet sailed southward along the coast smoothly. On the one hand, it was to more conveniently ensure the safety of troop transports and baggage ships. On the other hand, it was also Take a look at the situation on land.

But what the crew saw were more continuous mountains. Only near the coast, a stone tower could be seen every one or two miles.

Ionicus said in a heavy tone: "This is a tower that the Spartans forced the Messenians to build, but its purpose was to monitor the Messenians and prevent them from escaping. In the Messenian territory There are also many such facilities in the north. The Spartans made the entire Messenia into a prison for the Messenians... I think back then, my father and his nearly 200 people could not stand the cruel oppression and oppression of the Spartans. Killing, desperately fleeing Messenia, and ultimately less than 15 people were able to escape to Ellis alive..."

After Tisias heard this, he was silent for a long time, secretly clenched his fists, and said bitterly: "Today we Dionia are here to break this cage, so that such tragic things will not happen again in the future!"

The two vented their anger against Sparta to each other, and a voice intervened: "Why don't you see anyone in these towers?"

Ionicus turned around and saw Leoticides, the army commander of Dionia, and hurriedly explained: "There were people in the past, and each tower was garrisoned by at least 10 soldiers, but now... …The Spartans fought every year, and their citizens were killed and wounded every year. As a result, they didn’t even have enough manpower to defend Laconia. How could there be any extra soldiers stationed in these towers!”

Ionicus showed an expression of gloating, while Leoticides looked a little strange.

Then Ionicus added: "But there must be Spartan warriors garrisoning the city of Pylos ahead, because it is an important Spartan town on the west coast of Messenia."

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(End of this chapter)