ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 1167 Thebes on the Wall
"What are you thinking about? Dionians?" Pelopidas asked.

"To be precise, it should be the Dionian army." Ipamironda said frankly: "This time I went to Messenia and stayed there for several days. I was fortunate enough to visit the Dionian camp, Checkpoints, temporary ports, watching their training, logistics and transportation, and medical treatment of soldiers... I benefited a lot. In order to avoid forgetting, I took the time to record and organize them after I came back..."

After hearing this, Pelopidas immediately understood his intention: "Do you think these beneficial things implemented by the Diolinian army can be applied to our army?"

Ipamilonda shook his head lightly: "Dionia is a powerful kingdom, but we are not even unified as a whole in Boeoxia. We do not have such strong national power, and many things cannot be implemented, but we can learn from it, and more importantly It can clarify the direction in which our military will develop in the future..."

"After you finish sorting it, you must show it to me first." Pelopidas said with interest.

"That's for sure! Because by then I will have a new army reform proposal to be submitted to Parliament, and I need your support."

"In this regard, I have always supported you." Pelopidas agreed without hesitation, and then he said: "It seems that you have confirmed the strength of the Dionia army, and they can defeat Sri Lanka. bada."

"Yes, I think even if Sparta did not experience the battle of Leuctra, they would never be an opponent of the Dionians!" Ipamironda said firmly.

"Even with Persian support?"

"Persia is too far away, and it is impossible for them to support Sparta indefinitely."

"So what happened after the Dionians defeated Sparta?" Pelopidas changed the topic: "I remember that when you came back and told the parliament about your mission to Messenia, you mentioned, 'Commander Dionia hopes that the war in mainland Greece can stop and peace can be restored'... What do you think he means by saying this?"

"Don't you think this sentence is very familiar! The Persians just said it not long ago." Ipamironda said meaningfully.

Pelopidas was not surprised. He stood up, thinking and pacing: "You are thinking the same as me. I am afraid that the Dionians want to become the second Persia and control the situation in Greece... With the current strength of Dionia and the hostile relationship between it and Persia, it is completely understandable that they want to control Greece in their own hands. It’s just... Although compared with Persia, Dionia is far away from here Closer, but their territory is not here after all. Do you think Dionia will be like Persia...pick a Sparta to control the situation here for it?"

Ipamironda pondered and said: "From the current situation, the Dionians, like Persia, want to control Greece first, as a springboard, and then confront each other. But the situation in Greece is very complicated. It's all dry grass, and if you accidentally touch a little spark, it may cause a big fire, so the method you just mentioned should be the best choice for the people of Dionia, and we must try our best to become the best choice in the hands of Dionia. Sparta, this is of great benefit to the future development of Thebes!"

"I think so too, and if Dionia really has such an idea, our Thebes is undoubtedly their best partner in Greece!" Although Pelopidas said this, his mood did not appear excited, but He frowned: "It's just that the situation has changed a bit now. Before coming to your house, I met with the priest of Delphi."

"Why did Delphi send priests to Thebes?" Ipamironda immediately became alert.

Pelopidas said solemnly: "The priest told me that after they heard the news of the 'Dionian army invading the Peloponnese,' they felt that something was unusual, so they asked Apollo for help. The oracle, but the Pythia saw an illusion of the temple of Delphi burning in fire. They believed that this was a warning from Apollo. If the invasion of the Dionians with heretical beliefs was not stopped, the Greek mainland would will be destroyed, so they sent priests to various city-states of the Holy Alliance, hoping that the Greek city-states could unite, just like they defeated Persia, and drive the foreign race of Dionia out of Greece..."

Ipamilonda, who spoke slowly and had a gentle manner before, changed her expression. He asked urgently: "How did you answer the Delphic priest?"

"Of course I don't agree with the statement of the Delphi priest. If the gods can really give warnings, why didn't they protect us in Thebes back then, but instead allowed the Spartans to easily occupy our acropolis." Pelopida Si said angrily, and then sighed: "However, after all, Delphi has a great influence among the people, so I did not object openly, but evaded it by saying, 'We in Thebes are now in a stalemate with Athens. And we have to be prepared for the Thessalians to go south. We really have no energy left to fight against the Dionians. What's more, we have just signed an alliance agreement with them. Now the Dionians have fulfilled their covenant and helped us fight against our mortal enemy Sparta. How could the Thebans break their promise and betray the Diorians at this time!'

However, the damn Delphi priest accused, "Thebes should not have formed an alliance with Dionia. This gave Dionia a reason to interfere in the Greek war. They had long coveted Greece." 'He asked us to terminate the alliance with Dionia as soon as possible, and also told me not to worry about the security of the territory anymore. Delphi has discussed with the priests of Olympia and agreed to send envoys to each city-state. Including Jason of Thessaly and Athens, persuade them to put aside their hatred and join forces to fight against the foreign invader Dionia..."

"This is to form an all-Greek coalition to fight against Dionia!" Ipamelonda took a breath. He really didn't expect that the entry of the Dionysian army into the Peloponnese would make Delphi and Olympia The reaction was so great. Although these two places have almost no force, they are holy places in all of Greece and have a great influence on the people. If they are determined to oppose Dionia, the governments of various city-states will be affected by the people. Under the pressure of others, maybe it can be realized...

He calmed down and said: "I think...Athens will probably agree to the suggestion of the Delphi priest, but will Jason agree? Thessaly already had the strength to fight against Sparta, but this man He has been hiding his ambitions, hiding in the grass of the north like a cunning wolf. It was not until we defeated the Spartans at Leuctra that he began to take action. Will he use his old tricks again this time?"

"Jason is indeed very shrewd, and the Delphic priest may not be able to persuade him." Pelopidas agreed, and he said solemnly: "I did not give the Delphic priest a definite answer, but he will come to discuss the matter tomorrow. The request will be made to all members at the meeting.”

"So you came to me first, and then you went to other councilors' homes to seek support?" Epamilonda understood the true purpose of his friend's visit, and he immediately asked: "Then what do you think of the request of the Delphi priest? What is it?"

"My opinion...didn't I just say that if Dionia wants to become the second Persia, then Thebes must become the second Sparta. I have been to Persia and also to Dionia The ordinary towns in the Kingdom of Dionia and Dionia are more prosperous than many city-states in Greece, not to mention their central city of Thurii. I feel that it is no less dynamic than Babylon in Persia, or even more dynamic than Babylon!
What's more, you just told me that Dionia's army is also very powerful!So I think that today's Greece has gathered the power of most city-states, and it is difficult to compete with the powerful Dionia.Thebes should be on the side of the winner so that our efforts over the past few years will not be in vain! "

"I support you!" Ipamironda first expressed his attitude, and at the same time he reminded cautiously: "But it is difficult for you to get the full support of the congressmen, and it is even more difficult to convince the people of Thebes. Take a step back In other words, even if you really get the council to agree to your proposal, I am afraid it will be difficult to get all the other allies of Pioxia to support our decision. By then, the Pioxia alliance we have worked so hard to build will not only be disbanded, but also in Central Greece. , Thebes will be isolated and even be besieged by other city-states again!"

"I have also considered the issues you mentioned, and of course I will not explicitly reject the request of the priest of Delphi and openly support Dionia." Pelopidas showed a sly smile: "But I can delay! Athens, Corinth, Argos, Ellis, Phocians, Locris, and Thessaly... There are many Greek city-states, each with its own interests and needs, and there are many contradictions among them. Delphi It is impossible for Olympia to convince them in a short time and unite to deal with the Dionians.

And even if they are convinced, it will take a lot of time for each city-state to carry out military mobilization and finally bring the army together. Let me see... this will take at least two or three months, and within such a long time, Maybe the war between Dionia and Sparta has ended, the Dionia people will take new actions, and the situation will become clearer, which will help us make new decisions. "

Epamilonda pondered and said: "I think it's okay, just because... The Thessalians and Athens have not yet clearly stated their attitude, and they are still obviously hostile to Thebes, and the safety of Boiosia is still under threat. I believe that the Thebes MPs and people will be able to accept the resolution of not expressing their attitude and temporarily delaying the decision, and it is also in the interest of other Boeotian allies."

(End of this chapter)