ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 238 The Intention of Agesilaus
Phoebias accepted it gladly. He happened to be still a little hungry, so he picked up another piece of bread, spread it with honey, and chewed it.

Agesilaus waited patiently for him to finish eating before he said, "Can you tell me the details of your last mission to Great Greece?"

Phoebus perked up.You know, when he reported to the council of elders after he came back, because King Agis passed away, the elders were busy attending to funerals and electing a new king, and did not pay attention to other things.

Just when Phoebidas was briefly talking about the mission to Magna Graecia, the new king of Sparta expressed concern about Dionia, and Phoebidas immediately sent the envoy to Dionia. After speaking in detail without any exaggeration.

Agesilaus propped his head on one hand, straightened his limp, and listened carefully, while showing a thoughtful look on his face.

When Phoebias finished speaking, he said: "It seems that the Dionians have embarrassed you, and you have a bad impression of them."

"I'm angry because Dionia lacks due respect for Sparta, but personally -" Febidas paused for a moment, showed a strange expression, and said truthfully: "Actually, I'm quite Appreciate Dionia’s…”

"Oh?" Agesilaus was a little surprised: "Why?"

"Perhaps it's because of the toughness they showed..." Phoebidas recalled the situation at that time and said with emotion: "Although I only made a short stop in Thurii in a hurry, I didn't meet with Dionia. The citizens had very in-depth contact, but it gave me the feeling... The Dionian soldiers are also very disciplined. I even heard that the Dionian Senate held a celebration ceremony for the generals and soldiers who returned from victory. To me The feeling... the feeling it gives me..."

Phoebidas thought about it and said: "Dionia is like Sparta in Greater Greece..."

Teacher Agassiz was taken aback for a moment, and then joked: "You actually compared a city-state alliance ruled by tyrants to Sparta, where our citizens are equal and free."

"Although there is only one consul in Dionia, and it is still lifelong, they still have the Senate, and from my experience in the Dionia Senate, those elders seem to be able to influence the formulation of Dionia's bill , the relationship between the consul and the elders of the Senate... er... How should I put it? Anyway, unlike Syracuse, Dionysius alone has the final say!" Phoebe Das said seriously.

"You seem to have a bad impression of Syracuse." Agesilaus glanced at him and said.

"I think anyone who hears that Syracuse can mobilize such a large force to attack Carthage will probably not be in a good mood!!" Phoebidas said simply: "Those tens of thousands of infantry are not No matter what, the key is that he still has thousands of cavalry and a huge fleet that is no weaker than us! Dionysius is an ambitious man!"

Agesilaus looked at him and smiled: "Phoebias, I am very happy that you can see this! In the later period of the war with Athens, we began to pay attention to the west. It was through the war with Syracuse Only with an alliance can Sparta intervene in Western affairs. Carthage is an ally of the Persians in the Western Mediterranean. We need an ally in the Western Mediterranean that can suppress Carthage and protect the security of Sparta's rear. This is The reason why we support Syracuse also allows our Spartan power to gradually deepen its influence on the Greek forces in the West. However, some of Sparta's past practices blindly allowed Syracuse to expand and annex Sicily. The Greek power may in the end cause trouble to ourselves. We don’t want our allies to be too weak, but we can’t let them be too strong.”

"Dear King Agesilaus, you are right! But now, Carthage still has the advantage in Sicily, and our Spartan power is concentrated in Asia Minor. At this time, we should continue to support Syracuse." Phoebias understood the cryptic meaning of Agesilaus, but he still said frankly for the sake of the city-state.

"We don't need to do anything. The power to restrain the expansion of Syracuse has already appeared." Agesilaus did not feel unhappy, but smiled at him happily and said: "It's the Dionysus who made you unhappy before. Ya.”

"Dionia?!" Phoebe Das was surprised at first, then shook his head: "It can't compare with Syracuse at all, whether it is territory, population, or trade and military power, Syracuse is too strong. too much."

"This is indeed the case now, but Dionia is expanding very quickly." Agesilaus said here, showing a complicated look: "I just received news from Magna Graecia that Dionia defeated Croto Within the country, they also forced Crotone to cede territory and signed an alliance treaty with it..."

"When did it happen?!" Phoebidas's eyes widened. Not long after he left Magna Graecia, Dionia actually defeated Crotone again? !
Phoebidas looked unbelievable: "Crotone is obviously stronger than Dionia, and this time the Crotone people should not make the same mistake as last time. How could it be..."

"100 years ago, before the battle between Sybaris and Crotone, many Greek city-states thought so too, but the result was that the weak Crotone won!" Agesilaus sighed: "Chrysops It’s true, Davos is a military genius, and although Sparta unfortunately missed him, it would be good to let him lead Dionia against Syracuse.”

"Dionia will definitely have a conflict with Syracuse?" Phoebe Das was still thinking about how Dionia defeated Crotone, and he was a little absent-minded, so he didn't pay much attention to the reply, with Strongly skeptical tone.

Agesilaus didn't care and said: "Now Syracuse has occupied the eastern part of Sicily. With our support and its own accumulated strength, it can drive the Carthaginian forces out of eastern Sicily and It’s not a big problem, and it’s even possible... to completely expel Carthage from Sicily. Even if that’s not possible, Syracuse will definitely become the leader of the Greek city-states in Sicily. As you said, Dionysius He is an ambitious man, will he be satisfied with this?" Agesilaus said as he dipped his fingers into the cereal and drew a simple map of Sicily on the dining table.

Phoebus shook his head.

"Will he lead an army into Africa?" asked Agesilaus.

Phoebus shook his head vigorously.Just kidding, that is the headquarters of Carthage, which has been in business for hundreds of years. If Syracuse dares to send troops to Africa, Carthage will definitely let them go without return, just like Sparta a hundred years ago. The same army was led by his brother Dorius, who was exiled by King Cleomenes.

"Then the only place where Syracuse can expand its power is here -" Agesilaus casually drew a rough outline above Sicily: "Great Greece, it is only separated from Sicily by a narrow strait, and both are separated by a narrow strait. It is a Greek city-state, and Dionysius has always been cruel to his Greek compatriots..."

"You are right." Phoebus nodded.He and Agesilaus had never thought about the Greek mainland east of Sicily. They believed that no matter how bold Dionysius was, he would not dare to offend these powerful states with a long history in the Greek mainland.

"Dionia has now surrendered to Crotone. Further south from Crotone, the only powerful city-states left are Locle and Lijim, and Locle and Syracuse are allies, and Crotone Tone is a mortal enemy, and Crotone is now in alliance with Dionia, so it is only a matter of time before Dionia and Syracuse conflict..." Agesilaus analyzed.

Phoebidas stared at the table, shook his head and said, "Dionia is still too weak."

"As long as Dionysius's army sets foot on the land of Magna Graecia, except for the Locri League and Tarantum, I am afraid that other city-states will unite around Dionia." Agesilaus said solemnly: " We don’t want another Syracuse to appear in the Western Mediterranean, but as long as Dionysia can cause enough trouble for Syracuse, I believe that Davos can definitely do it so that Dionysius cannot survive in a short period of time. If we have to conquer Magna Graecia within time, then it’s time for us Sparta to come out to mediate. Don’t forget, there is Tarantum in Magna Graecia which is a friendly sub-state of our Sparta.”

Phoebidas thought of his experience in Tarantum and curled his lips and said: "Tarantum may not listen to us."

"When Dionia and Syracuse are strong, it will listen." Agesilaus sneered, stretched out three fingers and supported it on the dining table: "Syracuse, Dionia Nea and Tarantum are the three important city-states that maintain the stability of the Western Mediterranean. This is what the Council of Elders discussed after learning that Syracuse's army attacked western Sicily and Dionia defeated Crotone. As a result, so don’t worry about Dionia anymore.”

"Dear King Agesilaus, I understand!" Phoebidas understood that those indifferent old men in the Council of Elders would not care about the tangle in the heart of a young general, and Agesilaus came here to comfort him. , for this, Phoebidas was extremely grateful.

Agesilaus smiled faintly, as if it was just a simple task, and then said: "I asked you to come, there is one more thing."

Phoebus immediately leaned forward, looking serious.

Note: Agesilaus and Phibidas underestimated Dionysius's boldness.In history, Dionysius actually sent mercenaries and pirates to attack the Greek mainland. Of course it was not Sparta, but Delphi, the sanctuary of all Greeks. He attempted to loot the Temple of Apollo and accumulated hundreds of dollars. The wealth of the holy treasury of the year to make up for the emptiness of the treasury caused by his long wars.

　Thanks to Feng Yuzhi’s big book fans, Li Shibin, and outsiders for the tips!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)