ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 629: Experiences in Eastern Dionia ([-])

After others also tried to go to Tarantum, the people of Odrum felt the third benefit of joining Dionia.

However, the benefits that Dionia gave to Udrum continued one after another. Nicomacus announced that he would build a road for Udrum to connect Udia.

Building roads is something that the people of Odrum have always dreamed of, but can it be done? !

Just when the people of Odrum were dubious, officials from the Dionia road department had already taken the kingdom's principal slaves and prisoners of war to start digging into the mountains outside the city of Odrum to open a road.

Just when the people of Aldrum were pleasantly surprised to see the flat avenue extending westward along the rugged terrain, Nicomacus announced again: to expand the port, take advantage of the unique geographical advantages of Aldrum, and prosper Maritime trade in Aldrum.

This time, the people of Odrum did not stand and watch the excitement, but actively joined the team building the port.

The city of Odrum, which had been silent for hundreds of years, has undergone tremendous changes in just two or three years. The people of Odrum are no longer "the fishermen from that remote fishing village" that other Messape city-states used to despise. Rum has become a famous port town in eastern Dionia.

Therefore, when Nicomachus' term of office as administrator expired and he was about to leave, the people in the city had completely forgotten the anger and abuse they had directed at him when he first arrived. Instead, they lined up in a long line to see him off, and the city council unanimously approved Now: erect a statue of Nicomachus in the town square, so that the people of Aldrum will always remember his name and everything he has done for Aldrum! ...

Cleithops listened carefully, and the expression on his face gradually became solemn. From the coachman's mouth, he felt the identification of the people of Odrum with the Kingdom of Dionia. This is true of Odrum, and other Mesa Is this also the case in the towns of Pi and Puchetti? !
The great strength of the Kingdom of Dionia has put Sparta under pressure, and Dionia's strong ability to assimilate the indigenous people has even more frightened Cleethops. He took in those from Sparta. The Messapi and Pucetti nobles who escaped from this area were confused and uneasy about whether their actions were of any use.

But the coachman, who was interested in the conversation with Cleethorpes, talked about how much he liked rugby. He also said that Cleethorpes was lucky. If Turri had not suspended the rugby finals for the past two days, he would not be able to play football. It was impossible for Chrysops to get into his carriage without temporarily returning from Thurii.

Except for the first section of the road that was not easy to walk, the rest of the road was flat and wide. The carriage galloped all the way, and it had already arrived outside the city of Udiare before noon.

The coachman would stop here for a while to feed the horse fodder and regain its strength.

Chrysosops could also go and have something to eat to fill his stomach.

Entering the city of Oudière, we found that there were one post every three steps and one sentry every five steps in the city. There were heavily armed soldiers patrolling everywhere.

Chrysops cheered up and thought it was the Udians who were causing riots, because it was rumored that Udians had launched riots many times in the past few years.However, after listening to the driver's explanation, I realized that this was not the case.

It turned out that Udiare's team was unexpectedly eliminated in the first round of the Dionian Kingdom Rugby Finals this time, and was still defeated by the weak Uzentum.

When the news came back to the city of Oudière, the people regarded it as a great shame and humiliation. Not only did they angrily insult and reprimand the players, but they also went to restaurants in groups to drink away their sorrows. When they got drunk, they would act drunkenly in the city and even show up. There were several injuries.The Oudier Inspectorate had to conduct strict surveillance on the entire city to prevent further injuries.

The coachman could not explain to Keli Thorpes why the Udia people cared so much about winning or losing a game. He just said: The Udia team has always been like this in the Mesapee region. Not only does it act roughly, He often commits fouls and refuses to accept the referee's decisions, so other Mesapeake Town teams don't like to play against Udiay now.

In fact, the reason why the Udia people value rugby matches so much is because, as the center of the former Mesape Kingdom and the largest city-state in the Mesape League, Udia was a rebel after being occupied by the Dionians. The most violent one, and Milon, the administrator of Udia at the time, severely suppressed it. At the most serious time, Milon asked the Legion to garrison the city. During the day, no one must stay at home and no one was allowed to go out on the streets. This kind of resistance The state lasted for a year before gradually beginning to accept the rule of Dionia.

As a result, when the Udia people came into contact with the outside world, they discovered that the surrounding Messapian towns had submitted to the rule of Dionia early, and they had also received the benefits from the kingdom early, and with the vigorous development of maritime trade, they began to After getting rid of the hat of poverty and gradually becoming rich, Oudière, which was located in the interior and once dominated the Messape city-state with its fertile and vast land and large population, has become less important.

In the rugby finals of the following year, Oudi's players, who participated in the game for the first time, won one victory after another with a strong fighting spirit inspired by loss and unwillingness. Finally, after entering the quarterfinals, they competed with the United Nations League. The Lee teams met and the two sides had a brutal game.

During the game, three of Udiay were injured and one was sent off, and one of Turi was seriously injured. In the end, Turi's team narrowly won by one point.The Dionia Rugby League also modified some rules because of this game, and the penalties for game fouls were stricter.

The Udiai players returned to their hometown dejectedly, but were warmly welcomed by the people, who praised them for kicking out the Messapian people and letting the Dionysians know how powerful the Udiai warriors were.From then on, the Udia people became obsessed with rugby, devoted themselves emotionally to it, and regarded it as a tool to show the indomitable spirit of the Udia people to the Dionysian Senate.Therefore, this time, Udia's team capsized in the gutter in the finals and was eliminated in the first round, which greatly stimulated the people of Udia.

Chrysops did not understand these deep-seated reasons, but he felt that the Udia people valued the rugby invented by the Dionians so much, indicating that they had recognized the rule of Dionians, which made him a little frustrated.

Before coming, Agesiloust gave him the opportunity to learn about the situation of the Puchetti and Meshapi people under the rule of Dionysia, so he chose to take this route instead of taking a boat directly to Thurii.But judging from what he observes now, Dionysia's rule in Messapei will only become more and more stable as time goes by.

After leaving Oudière, the carriage continued to gallop northwest.

A few hours later, they passed through Manduria, which was once the forward fortress where the Messapians invaded Tarantum and is now the garrison of the Ninth Dionysian Legion. After all, it is located in both It is not conducive to farming and grazing.But the real camp of the Ninth Legion was built on the plain not far north of the city of Oudière. It was built there because it was right in the center of the Mesape region, making it convenient to gather citizens from various Mesape towns for training. And mobilization, it is also the surveillance and deterrence of the most restless city of Oudière, but because it is not next to the avenue, Chrysops cannot see it.

At dusk Chrysops arrived at the city of Tarantum.

Chrysops had been to Tarantum several times. In his impression, although this once-substate of Sparta did not inherit the bravery of the Spartans, it used to have more military training for its citizens every year. Not many, and the people of the city-state were still in a state of armed readiness, but this time he was surprised when he entered the city. Not only were there no soldiers patrolling and guarding the city, but the guards at the city gate were also poorly armored and their inspections were not strict. Anyone who entered the city was almost lifted. Let your hands go in.

Cleithops thought about it and soon understood: Because Tarantum has become a free city of the Kingdom of Dionia, and its mortal enemy Messapians have also been conquered by Dionia, it has There is no more danger, and now we are in the heart of Dionia. Even the city-state responsibility of defending the security of the territory has been taken over by Dionia, and naturally the armaments have been relaxed.

But the city of Tarantum was very lively. Even though it was already dusk, the streets were still busy with cars and people.The road from the city to the port is lined with shops, restaurants, brothels, etc., and travelers come and go.As a transportation and trade hub in eastern Dionia, Tarantum is more prosperous than before.

It’s just that Crithorpes saw Tarantum’s young citizens going in and out of restaurants and brothels in groups many times, walking drunk on the streets, and sometimes cursing about Tarantum’s past "brilliance", Venting his dissatisfaction with Dionia, he even despised Sparta's "cowardice"...

There was a helpless wry smile on Chrysops' face. He understood that the Tarentum people were resentful of "Sparta abandoning them and finally signing an alliance agreement with Deolia."But Chrysops didn't mind this too much. Instead, he was a little regretful. Judging from the current living conditions of the Tarantum people, these citizens were just talking. I'm afraid they don't even know how to use shields and spears. It is difficult to resist Diolia's rule.

At last, Chellythorpes came to the port.

When he was in Sparta, Chrysops understood clearly that there were special sea ferry terminals in the port of Tarantum. Cargo ships loaded with goods and guests departed from these terminals without interruption, and within a few hours You can reach other seaside cities in the Gulf of Taranto within a few minutes, of course the main destination is Turii.

Chrysopus soon boarded a passenger ship that sailed directly to Thurii.

After the passenger ship sailed out of the harbor and entered the Bay of Taranto, Kerithops' vision was filled with countless ships, covering this always calm bay. Even now that the sun had set behind the mountains, only the glow remained. Shining on the horizon, the sea is still very lively.

(End of this chapter)