ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 186 Arrogance: The Symbol of the Spartans
Generally speaking, the most shocking buildings in Greek city-states are large buildings such as temples, arenas, theaters, etc. At this moment, Phoebidas and his followers had not seen many large buildings before they were already impressed by these careful and thoughtful constructions. Impressed by the design and clean and tidy city appearance.Phoebus has been to Athens. Although that famous Mediterranean city is prosperous, it is noisy and dirty. Although Sparta is peaceful, it has to be said that the whole city is as simple as a countryside.Only in Thurii, simplicity, generosity, elegance, tranquility and neatness are blended together, giving it full charm.

Dorobyses couldn't help but ask: "Who is the architect of this city?"

"Heraclides, a disciple of Hippodamus!" Olivers looked at their surprised looks and replied loudly.

"Oh, Hippodamus!" Dorothys exclaimed. This name is not unfamiliar to the Spartans, because he designed and built the port of Piraeus and created so much for Athens. Wealth, the Spartans also took great pains to capture it.

Moving forward, they saw a huge white arch spanning the street. The Spartans had never seen such a design of arch in other city-states.

Dorobyses asked curiously: "What is this arch used for?"

Captain Olivers's expression became solemn, and he said in a deep voice: "This is the Arc de Triomphe! The generals and soldiers who have returned from victory will line up through this gate to receive the salute and cheers of the consuls, senators, and the people of the entire alliance. Not long ago, A triumphal ceremony was held because Niutum was captured. The scene was really... Oh, it's a pity that our First Brigade can only wait until next time..."

Phoebidas did not look at the regretful expression on Olivers' face. He and the several Spartan warriors behind him looked up at the huge triumphal arch, with shock and envy in their eyes.As a warrior, isn't his greatest wish to be cheered by the people of his own city-state after defeating the enemy?That will make them feel that the blood and sacrifice they paid are sacred and meaningful!But in the Greek city-states where the democratic spirit prevailed, this was almost never done.Democrats believed that this would give the generals too much prestige and lead to dictatorship; and even though Sparta used force to establish a state, the elderly elders would never allow excessive publicity of victory to let these young and bloodthirsty Spartan warriors out of control. , Lysander is the best example.But now, there is a colonial city-state in the remote Western Mediterranean outside Greece, which has actually done this, and will continue to do it... Phoebidas's mood was extremely complicated. He didn't want to talk to the patrol leader before, but now he asked : "How often does your military training take place?"

"Why are you asking this?" Captain Olivers looked serious. He thought for a moment and said, "But it doesn't matter if I tell you. Our alliance citizens train once every seven days during the busy farming season. Now in the slack season, we train almost once every two or three days, and we train for a whole day." sky!"

Such frequent military training has exceeded that of most Greek city-states. No wonder these soldiers look well-trained. This is also a city-state that values ​​force!Phoebidas had a premonition that it might be difficult to achieve his purpose here.

Pass through the wide and flat Victory Square (after the triumphal ceremony, this newly built square finally got its own name. Since the main function of this square is to gather troops before the expedition and hold a triumphal ceremony after the war, it is called "victory". True to his name), Phoebus entered the majestic Senate Chamber of Thurii.

The meeting hall was very large and could probably accommodate thousands of people. Therefore, dozens of members of the Senate sat in the front row, looking very inconspicuous.Seeing Phoebus coming in, all the senators stood up, applauded, and saluted respectfully to show their respect for Sparta, which finally made Phoebus feel happy.

A young man at the head said: "Welcome, the Spartan envoy from afar! What prompted you to come to our Dionysian Alliance?"

This must be the young consul of the Dionysian League, the military genius mentioned by Chrysops. I am afraid that the triumphal arch was also written by him.

Phoebus looked at him sharply and aggressively.

Davos did not dodge, but also returned his penetrating gaze, as if to see through his intentions.

In the eyes of Davos: this Spartan is wearing a bright scarlet cloak and has long hair that is not common for Greeks. His rough face not only has scars, but also has an arrogance that despises everything.

Davos, who already had a deeper understanding of this era, felt that the image of the envoy in front of him was the normal form of Spartans facing outsiders, and that Cleethorpes was an exception.

The two faced each other, staring coldly at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Kunogorata coughed twice, trying to break the solid atmosphere.

Phoebe Das spoke, and he said bluntly: "I am here on behalf of Sparta to question the Dionia Alliance!"

As soon as this statement came out, the elders were in an uproar.

"In order to protect the Greek city-states in Asia Minor, and also to protect the interests of the entire Greece, we Sparta sent troops across the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor to fight the Persians. However, at the critical moment, some soldiers of our army But because of your temptation, you fled the battlefield in Asia Minor, causing a setback in the war against the Persians. Even Governor Tiburon was exiled by the Council of Elders! Therefore, the Council of Elders sent me to question you for this treacherous behavior! "

Is it that serious? !The elders looked at each other, slightly nervous.

"I don't understand." Kunogorata asked doubtfully: "You said we lured your soldiers. The Dionysian Alliance is thousands of miles away from Asia Minor. We have very little contact with your Sparta. , how could it be possible to lure your soldiers to escape?!"

"You're right! As a newly established alliance, not only do we have no contact with Sparta, we don't even know where Asia Minor is!" Plesinas said exaggeratedly.

Phoebus didn't hear anything, just looked at Davos and sneered: "Those soldiers are mercenaries who participated in the Persian expedition! They fought with your consul and some of you in Persia for a year. There are many, and the relationship is deep. Our military officers in Asia Minor once saw with their own eyes that foreigners frequently entered these mercenary camps..."

Agarcia saw Antonios and Capos quietly casting inquiring glances at him, and he shook his head gently.

"Are you sure these foreigners are citizens of our alliance?!" Antonios asked.

"What I can confirm is that the passenger ships on which these deserters were traveling all sailed to Magna Graecia!" Phoebidas said categorically: "Therefore, the Spartan Council of Elders made a decision, 'The Dionysian Alliance must hand over those who fled here. All the mercenaries, and -'" He raised his voice: "As the Dionian Alliance destroyed Sparta's punishment for the Persian war, ask your consul to lead five thousand soldiers to Asia Minor and join us in Sparta. in the ranks of Dar, and fought against the Persians'"

"What?!" The senators shouted in shock: "What's the truth!! Our Dionysian Alliance has no diplomatic relations with Sparta, why do you Spartans give orders to us?!! "

"Just because you, as Greeks, destroyed Sparta's holy war against Persia on behalf of the Greeks! Just because we, Sparta, are the leaders of all Greece!!" Phoebidas said proudly.

Davos laughed.

Hearing the deep contempt in his laughter, the restless senators immediately calmed down.

Merses also asked jokingly: "Lord Davos, why are you laughing?"

"I laugh at the Spartans so shamelessly!" Davos glanced at Phoebus with disdain: "Didn't Sparta collude with Persia, which has always been the enemy of the Greeks, and kill its own compatriots to defeat Athens? Why is Sparta now at war with Persia, which was once an ally?"

"Why?" Melcis quickly asked.

"I heard that in order to let the Persians fund it to defeat Athens, Sparta signed an agreement with Persia, agreeing to give up the protection of the city-states in Asia Minor and give it to Persian jurisdiction. After the victory of the war, Sparta went back on its word, so The war between Sparta and Persia will only happen..." Davos looked at the somewhat unnatural Phoebus and said unceremoniously: "Such a traitor who betrayed the interests of the Greek city-state and repeatedly broke his promises actually said I am representing all of Greece and fighting a holy war with Persia! Do you think I can stop laughing?!"

"Yes, it's so ridiculous! It's really a shame for the Greeks that such a shameless city-state exists!" The senators headed by Anton Rios and Amyntas deliberately laughed loudly.

Phoebus's face turned red and he roared angrily: "How dare you insult Sparta? Aren't you afraid of the Spartans' anger?!"

The laughter still goes on.

Amintas said excitedly: "Rage? Are you talking about war? That's great, I'm waiting for the next triumph!"

"Lord Davos, the next battle should involve the First Battalion. The soldiers are all suffocating!" Even Capps, who never spoke much in meetings, came to join in the fun. Apparently, he was recognized as a Spartan. I was so angry at his unreasonable tyranny.

"Yes, the First Battalion is the old team that has been following you Lord Davos. It has not participated in the triumphal ceremony yet. The soldiers have some opinions." Antonios also said.

Phoebidas was dumbfounded, and his anger had been cleverly transformed by these Dionians into a fight.

"Is the Dionysian Alliance preparing to go to war with Sparta?!" he asked sharply.

　Thanks to book friends Xing Lihua and Master Zhuoshan for their rewards!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)