ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 1187 Plato’s Choice
Plato frowned, put down the pen in his hand, and said: "Oleas, don't panic! I said, try to stay calm in anything you do, because only calmness can lead to rational thinking, especially you, who said I’ve done it many times and I still always forget it!”

"Teacher... That's it. At today's meeting of 5000 people, the resolution of 'joining the Greek League and declaring war on Dionia' was passed..." Oreas said panting.

Plato was not surprised, and just shook his head gently: "Didn't I say it before? Judging from the current situation in Athens, it will be a matter of time before Athens declares war on Dionia. These stupid Athenians , are always easily driven by anger and lose their minds, and the Citizens’ Assembly, which holds the highest power in the city-state, becomes a place for them to vent their emotions. This is the flaw of the so-called democratic government!”

"Teacher... and..." Oleas swallowed, and wanted to continue, but was replaced by a calmer voice: "Teacher, the citizens' assembly also passed a resolution - saying that you are treason, and we must punish you. You judge!”

Studipus walked into the room and said with a sad and angry look: "I once went to the stage to defend you, but I failed to prevent it from passing..."

Plato looked at his proud disciple and saw several bruises on his face and a swollen chin. He could imagine the terrible situation at that time. He softly said with heartache: "Thank you for your hard work, I let you worry about me!"

"You are our respected teacher, this is what we should do!" Oleas finally regained his breath and said angrily: "Thankfully you did not attend the citizens' meeting today. The situation at the scene was too bad! Especially Aesop Crates, he also wrote a special speech and asked his students to read it at the meeting. It was full of words that slandered you, but those ignorant people listened to his words. Spyprous came to defend you. Those who The irrational people cursed us as traitors and attacked us with pottery pieces..."

"I can imagine how bad the situation is." Plato's expression became serious: "I also participated in the citizens' meeting that called for the trial of Teacher Socrates!"

"Teacher, scholar Socrates did not follow your advice and believed that the citizens' assembly would give him a fair trial, but in the end he lost his life! You must not-" Spisippus eagerly wanted to persuade.

"I know what you want to say, don't worry, I'm not Teacher Socrates!" Plato lowered his head, looked at the manuscript on the desk, and gradually made up his mind, he said firmly: "That so-called I will not participate in a fair court trial! I haven’t finished my exploration of the city-state’s political system, I still have books to write, and I don’t want to die miserably so soon, so I decided to leave Athens first!”

Spisippus obviously breathed a sigh of relief, but Oleas said hesitantly: "Teacher, if you leave like this, it will... make those ignorant people believe the slander of Isocrates and others even more! "

"A momentary slander is nothing, time will eventually prove who is right and who is wrong!" Plato said confidently.

"Teacher, where are you going after leaving Athens?" Spisippus asked again.

"Since Isocrates said that I colluded with Dionia, then I will go to Thurii and study in their Thurii Academy for a while..." Plato said with hope: "When we return to Athens When the time comes, we can make Akademi Academy run better!"

"Teacher, I'll go with you!"

"Me too!"

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At this moment, the chief general of Athens, Callistratus, was meeting with the Persian envoy Datis at his home.

Datis had been staying in Spartan territory before, but after the Dionian army captured Messenia and the First Fleet began to block the coast of Sparta, Datis felt scared and worried about the future of Datis. When the Oonian army attacked Sparta's territory, he could not escape, so he used the excuse to supervise and coordinate the mercenaries and supplies delivered by Persia to Sparta. As a result, he ran to Corinth and was attacked by the Dionian First Fleet. Feeling uneasy about the port of Corinth, he soon arrived in Athens.

"Congratulations, general, your proposal was finally passed at the citizens' assembly!" Datis congratulated Callistratus.

Callistratus said seriously: "You are mistaken. This proposal was jointly discussed and formulated by our generals' executive committee, and it is the common wish of the majority of Athenian citizens!"

Having said this, he smiled: "I believe your king will be very happy when he hears the news."

"It's hard to say." Datis said nonchalantly: "The King of Persia hopes that Greece can maintain peace. If he learns that a major war will break out here, he will have to work hard to urge you to sign If the ‘Peace of Callias’ cannot be implemented, I’m afraid I will be very angry!”

Callistratus sat up straight, looked at Datis sharply, and said seriously: "Let us all open up and tell the truth. The reason why the King of Persia asked the Greek city-states to sign the contract was not because he wanted us to Unite to defend Dionia! And now his wish is being fulfilled. The Greek city-states are forming an alliance to resist the invading Dionia army. I believe you will report this news to the King of Persia, and he will definitely I am very happy and will reward you greatly!”

Datis did not respond, but a smile appeared on his face involuntarily.

Callistratus continued: “But if this newly formed alliance is defeated by the Dionians, allowing the Dionians to control Greece, then I think this will never be a good thing for Persia. The King of Persia may be treating you..."

Datis' face suddenly darkened: "What do you mean by this?!"

"Don't get me wrong!" Callistratus said sincerely: "I just want to tell you that the interests of Persia, the interests of Athens, and your and my interests are important in defeating the Dionians. We agree on the issue, Athens needs your help!”

Datis was stunned for a moment, then smiled meaningfully: "What help can I, a small envoy, give Athens?"

"In the past few days in Athens, I believe you have learned that we have financial difficulties. The treasury is short of money and cannot provide sufficient military resources for the army. Without money, it is impossible to form a large army, and even if other city-states join this alliance, , but if we see that Athens has not taken action for a long time, I am afraid we will show hesitation... And if this situation continues for a long time, the situation will only be beneficial to Dionia!

The reason why the King of Persia hopes that our Greek city-states will unite to defend Dionia is because Dionia has the strength to pose a threat to Persia!Now that Dionia has discovered our attempt, we will definitely send more troops to Greece!

Sparta suffered a defeat in the battle of Leuktra before, and now it has lost Messenia, and its strength has been greatly weakened. Even with your assistance, I don't think they are the opponents of the Dionysian army!Now we are the only ones in Athens who can call on all the city-states in Greece to protect Greece!So we hope to get full assistance from Persia, not only gold and silver, but also navy! "

Callistratus said in a sincere voice: "We currently have insufficient warships to confront the Dionian fleet. Once we go to war with Dionia, the Dionian fleet will inevitably block the Saron Gulf. , it will be very difficult for Athens to obtain war supplies from the outside, so we need Persian naval support! As long as Persia fully supports Athens, I guarantee you that Athens will make Greece a strong barrier against Dionia!"

Datis looked at the somewhat excited Callistratus and couldn't help but take a breath: Athens wants to replace Sparta!

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and Datis fell into deep thought.

Callistratus did not rush him and waited quietly.

After a long time, Datis said: "I will convey your request to the king as soon as possible. Considering your current financial difficulties, I can first withdraw part of the funds allocated by the king to Sparta so that you can build an army as soon as possible. But first I want to see your sincerity in Athens.”

"What sincerity?"

"First send some citizen soldiers to the Peloponnese to help the Spartans."

Callistratus thought for a while and then said: "I have to discuss this matter with other generals first, and then submit it to the council for discussion before I can give you an answer, but I think the problem should not be big."

"Okay, that's it. I hope that Athens and Sparta will work together to repel the Dionians and restore peace to Greece!" Datis said righteously, and suddenly remembered something: "Uh... …The king may agree to all your other requests from Athens, but regarding the Persian naval assistance...you must be mentally prepared, the king may not agree.”

"Why?" Callistratus was a little confused. You must know that during the Corinthian War, in order to suppress the Spartans, the governor of Virginia, Pharnabazus, asked Conon to lead the Persian fleet to attack Sparta. Later, Conon left those warships in Athens without permission, and the King of Persia did not seem to pursue any further investigation. This shows that the King of Persia was generous and knowledgeable, and was willing to invest heavily at critical moments.

"Because we in Persia are going to have a major military operation and we cannot lack the navy."

"What military action?" Callistratus thought.

"You'll know soon enough."

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In a mansion on the northern coast of Kythera, Sekrian was holding a council of war.

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(End of this chapter)