ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 1185 Fierce debate at the Athens Citizens’ Assembly ([-])
"Although I have never been there, I have carefully understood and studied the affairs of the Kingdom of Dionia, and what I said is all true!" Callistratus said firmly.

"Dionysia is different from your Athens. The territory is too vast. To govern such a big country, of course, strict order must be established to ensure that any decisions and decrees are fully implemented." Karias said solemnly: "That's right. Thanks to the efforts of Dionian officials, all Dionian citizens have enough land and live relatively wealthy lives. Not only do they have enough bread for three meals a day, but they can also eat meat and meat regularly. Go to the tavern to drink, go to the bathhouse to soak in the hot springs, go to the arena to watch football matches, go to the theater to watch a play, go to the zoo to watch wild animals... The lives of the citizens of Dionia are rich and colorful, and they are also very hospitable. I hope that the people of Athens can go there. Traveling to the Holy Kingdom of Onia will definitely receive their warm reception, which will help our two countries eliminate misunderstandings and enhance friendship."

His words caused a murmur among the citizens of Athens.

At this time, a man stood up in the front row of the venue and shouted loudly: "The citizens of Dionia can own enough land, isn't it because you annexed the city-states of Magna Graecia and plundered their wealth? Really! While the citizens of Dionia were enjoying themselves happily, did they ever think of the people of Magna Graecia who had lost their homes and were suffering from hunger and cold!"

Callistratus remembered that the man who spoke was a student of Isocrates, and couldn't help but nodded.

Karias asked in surprise: "How did you come to this conclusion?"

"This is a fact, don't deny it!"

Karias laughed: "I used to think that the Athenians were the most intelligent and inquisitive among the Greek city-states, but now I find that I was wrong, because some people really act randomly based on their likes and dislikes. Fabricating rumors to deceive everyone! If you really want to know the facts, you should go to the Western Mediterranean and take a walk in towns such as Crotone, Locri, Naples, Syracuse, Tarentum... Take a look, and you will find that most of the people in these towns are still the people of the original city-states, but their situation has been greatly improved compared to before joining the Kingdom of Dionia, and their lives are also richer - "

Callistratus interjected again: "But you just said that Crotone, Tarentum, Locle...these sub-states that were once our Greek city-states have lost their independence and Freedom was annexed by Dionia and became an ordinary town under your kingdom, and even Thurii, which we Athenian citizens are very familiar with, became the center of the Kingdom of Dionia! "

When Callistratus mentioned Turii, he deliberately emphasized the tone, causing a commotion in the venue. Then he looked at Callias and asked questioningly: "Now the army of Dionysia is stepping on After taking over the land of Peloponnese, don’t you have the purpose of letting the stories of Thurii, Crotone and other Magna Greek city-states repeat themselves, so that the whole of Greece will eventually become the territory of your Kingdom of Dionia?!”

His words aroused even greater commotion at the venue, and some Athenian citizens even cursed.

Callias twitched his face and did not immediately defend himself. Instead, he stood there without changing his expression. It was not until the citizens of Athens regained their composure that he sneered and said: "Callistra Lord Tus, I heard that you are a respected speaker, but should your speech respect the facts and not make up random things?
If you understand the situation in Magna Graecia, you should know that before the Holy Kingdom of Dionia was established, the city-states of Magna Graecia were constantly at war, which was not inferior to mainland Greece today. Even the Tuli you just mentioned I was not invaded by Dionia, but burned by Crotone, another Magna Greek city-state you mentioned. Dionia only rebuilt the city on the ruins of Thurii.

Dionia has never taken the initiative to invade any of the Magna Greek city-states, but has been constantly provoked and attacked by these city-states. For example, Crotone has twice attacked Dionia... The tyrant Dionysius Led the Syracuse coalition to conduct a cross-sea expedition against the South Italian city-states dominated by Dionia... Tarantum tore up the alliance at the critical moment when Dionia defended the Syracuse coalition and launched a surprise attack on Dionia. rear... and after Carthage, a foreign city-state, declared war on Dionia, Syracuse actually colluded with them...

Dionia finally defeated these powerful enemies through hard battles. Most of these Magna Greek city-states joined the Kingdom of Dionia because these city-states held citizen meetings and the people of the city-state made their own choices. Because they don’t want to face war every day and be frightened all the time, they need a strong supporter who can protect them from wind and rain.

Next, we all saw that there have been wars in mainland Greece for more than 10 years, but during this period, the territory of Greater Greece has always been peaceful and peaceful, and the people live in prosperity.Facts have proved that the people of Magna Graecia made the right choice! "

Karias's last words were sonorous and powerful, and the venue suddenly became even quieter.

"Uh-" Callistratus was about to interrupt again.

Karias learned the lesson this time and quickly continued: "Of course Magna Graecia is Magna Graecia, and the mainland of Greece is the mainland of Greece. The situation is completely different. Dionia sent troops to the Peloponnese, and there is no other meaning. There are only two purposes.

The first is what I just said, in order to fulfill the covenant, help Thebes and defeat Sparta who is constantly causing wars in Greece; the second is to help the Messenians.I remember that your Athens once kindly helped the Messenians who were enslaved by the Spartans many times, and our king also made a promise to the Messenians who were exiled to Tyndares, so Take this opportunity to let the Messenians, who are also Greeks, regain their freedom and independence.

I can swear to the gods that when Sparta is defeated, the Dionian army will quickly withdraw to the kingdom and will never occupy any land in mainland Greece! "

Karias raised his hands flat, palms toward the sky, and finished speaking solemnly.

Many Athenian citizens were moved.

Suddenly a voice sounded: "The Dionian messenger is swearing to the gods, can you tell us which god it is?

Karias saw an old man standing in front of the venue. He had white hair, but his face was too dark and looked a bit gloomy.

He hesitated for a moment, and then said calmly: "God Hades!"

"I heard that Dionia regards Hades as the protector of your kingdom. Is the Hades you believe in one of the twelve main gods of Greece?" The man continued to ask.

"Of course it is." Karias said cautiously: "It's just that Dionia's understanding of Hades is somewhat different from that of the native Greek people."

The man did not ask what the difference was, but said seriously: "We Greeks believe that Hades is in charge of death and is inaccessible. Ordinary people don't even dare to call him by his name, but use 'that male god' instead." Aecilius

There is no temple to Hades on the mainland of Greece. The only temple that has no statues or engraved names but is closely related to Hades is in Eleusis in the Attica region of Greece. There is a deep and hidden temple there. The cave at the bottom is recognized by the Greeks as the entrance to hell. For this reason, we Greeks have established a secret ceremony to worship Hades. Almost all celebrities in Greece have participated in this ceremony——"

"The Eleusinian Mysteries, I know."

"No, you don't know! You Dionians don't know at all!" The man roared: "Eleusis originated in Athens and received the tacit approval of Hades, so it was widely revered and respected by the Greek people. It is the most orthodox sacrifice dedicated to Hades in the entire Greek world!

But you Dionians wantonly built statues and temples of Hades, not only did not have awe of Hades, but even fabricated lies about the descendants of Hades to deceive the people—"

"Shut up!" Karias yelled, his beard opened angrily, and he glared at the man: "The fact that our great King Davos is a descendant of Hades is the consensus of all the people of the Kingdom of Dionia! In a short time In just 30 years, he went from a mercenary to the king of the most powerful country in the Western Mediterranean, turning Dionia from a small alliance into a powerful kingdom that encompassed the entire Western Mediterranean civilized city-states. It was precisely because of the influence of Ha Dis's divine inspiration and blessing, and Hades even performed miracles at several critical moments to help the kingdom tide over difficulties. These were witnessed by thousands of people in the kingdom, so the citizens of the Holy Kingdom of Dionia Willingly regard Hades as the protector of the kingdom, and become a devout believer of Hades!

Hades is a benevolent god. He does not care about the different sacrificial methods used by Greek people in different regions to view him differently. However, if someone openly slanders his son of God and insults the people of Dionia towards Hades, With Si's devout faith, then millions of devout believers in Hades in Dionysia will not be afraid of hardship, life and death, and will definitely make the blasphemers pay a heavy price! "

Forced by Karias's majestic aura, the man became a little timid and subconsciously stepped back, completely forgetting that there was a stone staircase behind him. If it weren't for the help of the people next to him, he almost fell.

This man is the torch bearer of the Eleusis Secret Council, and has a similar name to the Dionysian envoy-Callias. The "Callias Peace Treaty" signed in Sparta was named after him. Named after him, it can be seen how prominent his reputation is in Greece.

But at this moment, his poor performance made Callistratus frown: Hades, what a good topic to criticize, but it's a pity that Callias messed it up!He also performed poorly when the peace treaty was signed with Sparta, and I should have known better than to expect anything from him.

(End of this chapter)