ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 389 Athens’ decision

Athens was liberated, and Thrasibulos and others who regained power restored Athens' original democratic government. However, they did not retaliate against the original supporters of the oligarchic tyranny. Instead, they promulgated a political amnesty and strictly implemented it. At the same time, they also Trying their best to bridge the conflicts and resentments between civilians and rich people, democrats and aristocrats, Athens today is more united than during the Peloponnesian War.Externally, Thrasibulos and others also adopted a cautious and moderate policy, forgetting the betrayal of the allies in the Delian League in the past, and treated and interacted with every city-state equally, so that these city-states gradually gathered around Athens through trade and diplomacy. On the other hand, Athens was not as domineering as it was during Pericles' reign, but its national strength was rapidly returning to its former glory.

This is what Isocrates admired about Thrasibulos, and even though he played the most important role in the revival of Athens, the people deliberately did not elect him as a general for several years because they were worried about his dictatorship. He still did not complain as always. Provide advice and suggestions for the city-state.

"Isocrates, I believe you already know about Dionia's declaration of war on Locri some time ago." Thrasibulos asked with concern: "You have been to Thurii. Based on your judgment, do you think Dionia Will Onia go to war with Syracuse?"

"There will definitely be a war!" Isocrates said decisively without any hesitation.

"Oh?" Thracybulus was surprised that Isocrates was so sure.

"I have not been to Syracuse, but judging from Dionysius's brutal performance in Sicily, he successively destroyed several Sicilian Greek city-states such as Catanai and Leothys. This man was extremely obsessed with the land. Greedy, he also sent people to disrupt the political order of Dionia. I am afraid that he was the mastermind behind the recent assassination of the Dionia consul. It can be seen that Magna Graecia is the next target he wants to annex, so Dionia wants to scorn his only ally in Magna Graecia, how could he ignore it, and he will definitely send reinforcements to fight against Dionia! And Dionia - "

Isocrates considered his words and said slowly: "I don't think it will be afraid of going to war with Syracuse. Although its strength is weaker than Syracuse, the citizens of this city-state alliance are as familiar with war as cats. As eager as rats, they will actively participate in the war, and they also have the assistance of Crotone, Lijim and other South Italian gangs...perhaps they are preparing to give Syracuse a heavy blow in Magna Graecia."

"Like a cat and a mouse... Haha, Isocrates, your wording is too exaggerated. No one loves war." Thrasibulos smiled, and the expression on his face relaxed: "Listen to what you say. , I am relieved. If Dionia can go to war with Syracuse, then our anti-Spartan allies will be under less pressure. I hope Dionia can defeat Syracuse and completely defeat it. Cutting off Sparta’s backup allows us to focus more on dealing with Sparta.”

"Thrasybulus, my idea is exactly the opposite of yours. You'd better pray to Athena to make both city-states suffer losses." Isocrates said with a serious expression.

"Why?" Thrasybulos was surprised.

"I don't deny that I have a good impression of Dionia." Isocrates said in a deep voice with his unique hoarse voice: "But this good impression, when you think about it carefully, is shocking... The citizens of Dionia love fighting. This is not a joke, because the "Law of Dionia" stipulates that 'citizens with military merit can obtain better land.' What crazy things can Greeks do for land? I believe you It can be understood. In fact, it is this law of Dionia and another immigration bill that is 'willing to accept free people as citizens of Dionia' (i.e., the Davos Immigration Law), which attracted thousands of people. Freedmen and foreigners flocked to Dionia. In turn, these former freemen who became citizens of Dionia or what they called 'preparatory citizens' promoted Dionia's rapid expansion outwards in order to obtain More land. Although Dionia is not as unscrupulous as Syracuse in appropriating the land of its Greek compatriots, its rapid expansion of territory is also obvious. In addition to absorbing Greek free people as citizens of Dionia, they It even allows foreigners to become citizens of its alliance..."

Thrasibulos nodded: "I have read Aristophanes' "The Dionians"."

"The Dionysian Alliance not only allows foreigners to become citizens, but also allows the leaders of these foreigners to become elders of the Dionysian Senate and senior generals of the army! Because of this, the Bruti Mountains and the Lucania Region It has successively become the territory of Dionia. The current land area of ​​Dionia may have exceeded the sum of our Athens and Sparta.

And under the initiative of their consul, they vigorously built roads and bridges in Dionia, promoted the belief in Hades, and even built temples for foreigners, built schools and gardens, recruited scholars and doctors, and the entire A popular rugby game in Dionia... If it is not disturbed, according to the development trend of Dionia, a powerful city-state alliance may appear on the Italian peninsula in more than ten years. It is far more populous than any city-state in mainland Greece, and its trade and culture are not inferior to ours, Athens. However, it is very different from the traditional culture of Greece..."

After listening to what Isocrates said, Thrasibulos's expression became solemn. He pondered for a while and said: "Isocrates, are you thinking too much? You must understand the consequences of any rapid expansion. Power cannot expand forever. It will either collapse due to internal problems or be frustrated by interference from external forces. Argos a long time ago, Persia before the Greco-Persian War, including us before the war with Sparta It’s all like this. If a person eats too much, his stomach will be full, and the same applies to the country.”

"But Thrasibulos and Dionia may be an exception." Isocrates reminded him urgently: "Because this alliance adopts a political system that is completely different from any country and city-state in the Mediterranean. "

"Oh? What kind of political system is Dionia?" Thrasibulos asked with interest.

"According to my observations there, Dionia is said to be a city-state alliance. In fact, the city-states that belong to it are not city-states at all, but cities directly ruled by the Dionia Senate. Dionysia The Senate holds the highest power. It sends senators to serve as chief administrators of various cities such as Turii, Cosenza, and Grumentum. They are responsible for the internal management of the city. The city's finances and taxes must be handed over to the Senate. The army is managed by an organization called the 'Ministry of Military Affairs' under the Senate. These cities have no independent administrative capabilities and are completely under the command of the Dionysian Senate..."

"This... is a bit like Persia." Thrasibulos said in deep thought before he was interrupted by Isocrates: "Dionia is not the same as Persia. As far as we know, the city lords in Persia and the governors had considerable autonomy. Apart from paying taxes and providing troops, the Persian king had no stronger control over them. So a few days ago, Farabazos, the Persian governor of Asia Minor, could make his own decision and use the Persian The fleet built with people's money was given to us for Athens to use, and we also agreed to let Athens rebuild the city wall to protect the port of Piraeus. If it were the chief executive of any city in the Dionysian League, it would be impossible to do this decision, because the Dionia Senate firmly controls everything. In my opinion, it can effectively concentrate all the resources, population, gold and silver in the territory to do things that other city-states and countries cannot do. "

After listening to this, Thrasibulos thought seriously for a long time, and finally took a long breath and said with a smile: "Isocrates, I originally asked you to talk about whether Dionia can go to war with Syracuse. thing, I didn’t expect you to talk to me about the threat of the Dionia Alliance. Since Dionia is so powerful, it seems that we don’t have to worry about Syracuse anymore, and we have to talk to Dionia more. Strengthen diplomatic ties and hopefully it will help us deal with Sparta."

Isocrates saw that Thrasibulos did not seem to take his words to heart and wanted to say something more. Thrasibulos said seriously: "Isocrates, you must understand that the main issue that Athens is focusing on now is to Taking advantage of the support of Persia and the whole situation is in our favor, we must concentrate our efforts to defeat Sparta as soon as possible and weaken this long-standing enemy. Only then will Athens develop better! There are so many city-states and races in the Mediterranean, each with its own unique characteristics. With some systems, there is no need for us to worry about this or that. Only the goddess of fate can control the future, and no one can tell. As long as we in Athens can maintain the unity and stability of our city-state and handle the relationship with other city-states, Develop our trade and strengthen our armed forces, and Athens will remain that glorious Athens, and we will not be afraid of anyone!"

The words of Thrasybulus hit the mark on the mind of Isocrates, a speech educator who believed in the concept of "Athens supremacy". He said sincerely: "You are right, Athens will surely rebuild its glory. !”

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In early August, Puamote, the leader of Potentia, received an invitation from Dionia to participate in the Hades celebration. As in previous years, he declined politely and still sent his brother Paulet Go and attend.

Not because he had any other thoughts about Dionia, but because he had never left the territory of Potentia since he was a child.He just likes to stay in his own territory, protect his people, and live a comfortable life.

(End of this chapter)