ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 627 Sparta’s dispute over contract renewal
The Spartans knew that the Chalcidic Peninsula in northern Greece was very important. It was shaped like a harpoon and was also nicknamed "Poseidon's Trident". It happened to be stuck on this important stretch from mainland Greece to the Black Sea. In the middle of the route, and I also heard from the messenger that 'Olintus is actively sending people to contact Thebes and Athens', so the Council of Elders almost unanimously passed the resolution to "rescue Macedonia".

In fact, there is another important point. The kings and elders of Sparta tacitly understood it but did not say it out loud: that is, they needed Macedonia, their northern ally, to cooperate with the Spartans to squeeze Thebes in central Greece from the south to the north. The strategic activity space of the two powerful states of Athens and Athens, and Macedonia's huge military resources and powerful cavalry are exactly what Sparta needs.

After making the decision to send troops, Agesilaus stood up and said solemnly: "I think we'd better settle another important matter before sending troops to Karkidik."

As soon as he said this, the expressions of the elders in the venue changed. They all knew what the important thing Agesilaus said was, because the agreement on the ten-year alliance with Dionia would be finalized in a few months. It has expired, and the Council of Elders has discussed the issue of "whether to continue to conclude an alliance with Dionia" in the past few days, and the debate has been fierce.

The radical elders, headed by the young Spartan king Agesipolis, believed that after the Corinthian War, Sparta had once again become the overlord of mainland Greece and no longer needed to worry about Dionia becoming a trouble.On the contrary, Sparta must restrain the expansion of Dionia and cannot allow it to conquer the Apulian region, which is only separated from the Peloponnese by the Adriatic Sea, because this will affect the Spartan territory. Security posed a threat, after all, this was a "Greek" kingdom that ignored Spartan authority and dared to threaten Sparta.

The conservative elders headed by Agesilaus and others (who are only relatively stable on issues involving Dionia) believe that although Sparta relied on the "King's Peace" to regain dominance in the situation in mainland Greece, However, compared with before the Corinthian War, Sparta not only weakened in national power, but also declined in prestige. City-states such as Thebes and Athens may emerge to oppose Sparta at any time.Before the complete suppression and unification of the city-states in mainland Greece is completed, not only should we not provoke this powerful kingdom, but we must also prevent Dionia from actively interfering with Sparta's authority to exercise the authority of the "King's Contract" executor in mainland Greece. Therefore renewal is very necessary!
"King Agesilaus, the agreement with Dionia will not expire until January next year. There are four full months. Let us think about this important issue clearly. There is no need to go in such a hurry. Make a decision." Agesipolis's uncle and former regent Praxitas said calmly: "After all, it is too important. It is related to the development of Sparta in the next ten years, so we must be cautious!"

"It is precisely because of the importance of this covenant that it is not only related to the development of Sparta in the next ten years, but also related to the war we are about to launch, so I want everyone to make a decision as soon as possible!" Agesilaus Said seriously.

"What we are fighting against the Calcidic League is not a war, but a battle. As long as our army sets foot on the land of the Calcidic Peninsula, what awaits the Olyntians will only be a disastrous defeat. "The 30-year-old Agecipolis said confidently. In the past ten years, he has grown from an immature new king to a Spartan king recognized by Spartan warriors. He has experienced many battles, especially leading the army. The destruction of Mandinya won him a lot of praise. Standing among a group of elders aged between 70 and [-] years old, his youth was particularly conspicuous.

Compared with the high-spirited Agesilaos, Agesilaus, who is already in his 50s, is not only lame, has gray hair, and his back is a little bent. He said in a calm tone: "War is unpredictable, otherwise in ten years We did not expect a year ago that just a battle to help our ally Phokis would eventually turn into a war that lasted for ten years, and Sparta had to rely on our former enemy, Persia, to end that war. The war that consumed so much of our energy..."

Agesilaus' words caused the elders to fall into memories, and then sighed from time to time.

"Now our soldiers are leaving the Peloponnese and going to the northern Greek region that we have never fought before - the Karkidik Peninsula. I heard that the situation there is very complicated. Not only are there internal city-state battles, but also Macedonian, The two populous areas of Thessaly, and even Thebes and Athens have connections with them, will our intervention trigger a new war? This must arouse our vigilance!" The words of Agesilaus made the elder They were thoughtful.

"Since the expedition to Chalkidike may have such terrible results, then King Agesilaus, why did you support the launch of this expedition just now." Praxitas sneered at Agesilaus's insincerity.

Agesilaus retorted unhurriedly: "I support the expedition because it is in the interest of Sparta. If the Chalcidic Alliance is allowed to grow without control, other Greek city-states will follow suit. They set an example by forming alliances one after another. This will not only make the "King's Contract" ineffective, but also shake Sparta's prestige in mainland Greece. What's more, winning over Macedonia and conquering the Greek city-states on Chalcedea will help us occupy the leading road to The passage of the Black Sea, so as to threaten Athens from opposing Sparta in the future. But to be on the safe side, before setting off, we should continue the alliance agreement with Dionia to ensure that when the war in Northern Greece expands, Dionia Nia won't get involved.

And even if we conquered Chalcidica, there are also Argos, Athens, Thebes... these city-states are dissatisfied with us. If we want to restore the prosperity after the Peloponnesian War, Sparta still needs Time, so I don't want... As Sparta strives to develop during this time, a 'Persia' similar to the one during the Corinthian War appears in the Western Mediterranean, and is in trouble with Sparta!And once the contract with Dionia is renewed, judging from the past ten years, the Dionia people are quite trustworthy..."

"We want to renew the contract, but Dionia may not agree to renew the contract with us." Praxitas said coldly.

"Wouldn't that just be enough to detect that Dionia is malicious towards Sparta? We can also take precautions in advance." Agesilaus replied calmly.

"Let us take the initiative to go to the colony to renew the contract with Dionia, which will damage the reputation of Sparta! Why not ask Dionia to send people to Sparta to renew the contract?!" Agesipolis was a little unwilling said.

Agesilaus looked at the King of Sparta who was juxtaposed with him, with a faint smile on his face, and persuaded him in the tone of an elder: "There is an old saying in Sparta, 'Gorgeous clothes are not as good as gold. Strong coarse cloth is durable.' Since we all took the initiative to seek peace with Persia, Greece's sworn enemy for decades, and incurred infamy for it, why bother about a trip to Magna Graecia! Didn't we take the initiative to ask for peace with Dai during the Corinthian War? Did Onia sign the agreement? Everything we do is for the strength of Sparta, personal honor and disgrace are nothing!"

Agesilaus' words made the elders nod their heads, but Agesipolis was unable to refute.Although Agesilaus had narrowly succeeded in taking the throne, and his biggest supporter Lysander was killed in battle within a few years, not only was he not ignored in the Council of Elders, but after more than ten years of management , but its influence in the country is increasing day by day, especially in the Council of Elders.Because although these Spartan elders were brave warriors when they were young, they are now 70 to [-]-year-old old men. Instead of taking risks, most of them prefer to play it safe.

And Agesilaus was a king who liked to use strategies rather than fists. He was the first to propose peace with Persia. Therefore, when the Council of Elders voted on the matter, the vast majority agreed to "immediately Go to Dionia to discuss contract renewal."

The candidate for the envoy was also quickly selected. He was Chrysops who was responsible for signing the alliance with Dionia.

..........................................

In the Sikel town of Kefaroition in the center of Sicily's interior, many Sikel tribe leaders gathered again.

Sitting at the top was Akris, the leader of the Tanikian tribe. He glanced at everyone and said loudly: "Chiefs, news has come from Thurii. Laodicean, Lysiperatus and others have been killed. The Dionians arrested them and it is said that they will be tried soon. What we have done before must also be known to the Dionians. Maybe they are preparing an army to declare war on us! "

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a big commotion in the crowd.

The leaders couldn't hide the shock on their faces. One leader stood up and asked anxiously, "Chief Arconis, did you get the exact news? Or did you hear the rumors?"

"What will you do if I tell you the exact news? Chief Zemacis!" Akonis's eyes widened, staring at him fiercely like a man-eating beast.

"Of course...of course I will send someone to explain to the Dionysian Senate..." Zemasi murmured.

"Explain what?!" Apides, another leader who was closely related to Arkonis, sneered sarcastically: "Explain why you wanted to annex other tribes and snatch the wives of other leaders to be your concubines? !”

Several leaders nearby laughed disdainfully.

"It's useless to beg Dionia for mercy!" Akonis slapped the armrest fiercely, stood up with a roar, looked at the leaders, and said loudly: "Look at Dionia's past methods of treating foreigners. Let's go! Lucania is annexed! Bruti is annexed! Messapei is annexed! Pucheti is annexed! Now they are still annexing Dauni! Dionia will not allow aliens to exist independently! Say Maybe in the eyes of the greedy King of Dionia, we West Kells have long become his next target for annexation! We violated the covenant and attacked and embezzled other tribes, which may have given him an excuse to launch a war. Dionia's troops are being dispatched to Sicily!..."

The leaders were in an uproar again, and everyone whispered uneasily.

A leader immediately asked loudly: "Arkonis, what should we do?!"

(End of this chapter)