ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 653 Plato’s Investigation ([-])

What Davos advocated at the meeting to “have academic debates, not unreasonable quarrels and abuses.” even more alerted scholars.In the subsequent speeches and seminars, although there were fierce debates, everyone controlled their emotions well.

Among them, the most eye-catching debate was between Plato and Democritus' disciple Thainstrian.

This is because Sainstrian inherited the ideas of Democritus, who believed that democracy is the most ideal form of government, and other forms of government are undesirable.It is better to live in a democracy, even in poverty, than to enjoy affluence under a dictatorship.

But he also emphasized that if a democratic country is to function well, it must pay attention to the role of the legal system.A well-governed city cannot be without perfect laws.Because human nature always seeks advantages and avoids disadvantages, and always tries to make profits outside the law, so making people obey the law is protecting the safety and lives of citizens themselves.And persuading people to obey the law is a long-term task for a city-state...

His ideas were exactly the opposite of Plato's political philosophy.

Plato advocated virtuous people to govern the world and respected royal government. He hoped to use the concept of good to guide the people and cultivate the virtues of citizens as the foundation of governing the country.

He was particularly opposed to democracy, believing that democracy indulged people's desires, corrupted the youth of the city-state, and cultivated careerists and uneducated arrogants.

The result of this debate was that Plato won.Plato was already knowledgeable and quick-thinking, and he had lived for decades in Athens, a city where everyone was known to be good at debating. He had already developed a superb debating skill. How could he be like Seinster from the remote town of Aldera? What's more, Plato took his mother state, the best democratic city-state in the Mediterranean - Athens, as an example, and enumerated all its ills and follies, making the audience feel the same. It makes sense that he would be defeated.

However, the audience of Dionysia, who have implanted the concept of law-abiding into the bone marrow, also deeply agree with Sainsterian's emphasis on "the law is to ensure the good operation of the city-state", because Dionysia uses strict laws to ensure Stability and unity of the entire kingdom.

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The All-Greek Scholars Conference that lasted for nearly a month finally came to an end.

During their stay in Turii, well-known scholars from all over the Mediterranean not only exchanged academic knowledge, but also tasted and enjoyed the delicious food of Turii under the careful care of the college and the full assistance of the Turii City Hall. I soaked in hot springs, watched fierce ball games, went to the hospital to check my health, and appreciated the cultural customs of foreign races... It was a full harvest.

In addition, the Dionia Academy also collected the speeches of the scholars and compiled them into a book called "Selected Works of the All-Greek Scholars Conference", copied hundreds of copies, and distributed them all over Greece.

Scholars who gained both fame and fortune returned home satisfied.In the following period, every time they talked about this matter with others, they were full of praise for the academic atmosphere of the Kingdom of Dionia and the enthusiasm and wealth of the people.This caused more city-state scholars to start asking: Will Dionia hold the next scholar conference?When will it be held?

Only after the members of the Pythagorean school returned to Tarantum, because of Fostercada's speech, quarreled, which led to conflict and finally caused a split.

Some people left Tarentum and headed for the Eastern Mediterranean.

The other group of people, headed by Lysis, stayed in Tarentum, thinking about how to improve the philosophical concepts of the Pythagoreans and incorporate these unnatural numbers into it. This is a story later.

Among prominent scholars, two remained.

One is Hippocrates.Although he is already an octogenarian, he was pleasantly surprised by the rich medical insights and advanced theories of Dionia Medical College. Just one month was not enough for him to understand, let alone study, so he was willing to live there. He came down and guarded this treasure mountain until he fully understood and mastered it, completely solving the many confusions about medicine that he had in his life.

Davers certainly supports this.He was readily approved to stay in the college and given the title of school teacher, and even gave him the title of "Honorary Citizen of Dionia" in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the cause of medicine throughout his life.

And another scholar is Plato.He asked Davos to fulfill his promise and send someone to take him to understand the operation of the political system of the Kingdom of Dionia.

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On this day, the palace clerk Henipolis led Plato and two students, Spisippus and Oleas, to the Kingdom Preparatory Officials Assessment Center in the southern outer city of Thurii.

This center was originally located near Victory Square, but with the expansion of the kingdom's territory, the number of people who needed to be assessed increased, and its examination venue could no longer accommodate it. The land in the inner city of Turiyi was limited and it could not be further expanded, so it was moved to Outer city.

Hennipolis was explaining as he walked ahead.

Plato listened carefully and at the same time looked at this building that was not found in other Greek city-states: it covered a large area and was surrounded by thick stone walls more than three meters high. The situation inside could not be seen from the outside.

They walked around the perimeter of the building for a long time before they saw the main entrance in the distance.

Plato noticed that the bustling crowds and hustle and bustle common in other parts of Thurii were almost invisible here.Even though there were many pedestrians passing by, they tried to keep quiet and whisper. This may not only be related to a patrol team specially patrolling here, but also to the quality of the people of Turiyi. Citizens participating in the assessment in the center.

"There is actually a temple there!" Oleas pointed in the distance and said in surprise.

"That's the Temple of Hades." Henipolis explained with a smile: "There is an advantage to having the assessment center next to it. Hades is very aware of everything and hates evil the most. Any citizen participating in the exam who wants to cheat must be punished." Think about it carefully, in the end they will not escape his just punishment."

Plato thought thoughtfully. In the past few days, during his visits to various departments in Thurii, he could find traces of the direct and indirect existence of Hades. The god in charge of Hades turned out to be a person who was engraved in the hearts of the people and made people feel proud. The people always restrain their behavior as a supervisor, which had to make him think deeply.

Arriving at the door of the assessment center, there was a majestic statue erected five meters away from the door. This statue was of a tall and strong man with a resolute look on his face, holding a flame in his hand and stepping on auspicious clouds as he sprinted downward.

"Why is there a statue of Prometheus here?" Olea asked curiously.

Henepolis pointed to both sides of the gate and showed him two lines of words carved there: Those who are willing to be slaves of the people and devote themselves to the people, please enter this door; those who want to use their power to gain wealth and oppress the people, go away. Elsewhere; signed Davers.

Reminiscing the story of Prometheus risking punishment by Zeus to steal fire from heaven to benefit mankind, the three masters and disciples immediately understood the king's intentions.

Plato couldn't help but sigh: "This is moral education! Don't look at the emphasis on the law's restraint on the people in Dionia. But in fact, this city is subtly teaching people to be good anytime and anywhere!"

As soon as Plato finished speaking, the guard came up to him and warned: "This is an important part of the kingdom, please don't make any noise!"

Plato apologized.

Henipolis showed his belt card and the warrant written by Davos, and then led Plato and the others into the courtyard.

The vast assessment center has no pools, fountains, gardens, pavilions, corridors, or other pleasing buildings and scenery. There are only a dozen or so buildings that resemble port storage warehouses, and patches of flat, flat open space. There are some equipment placed in the open space.

Only a hundred meters ahead stood an imposing temple-like building, which added a bit of color to the entire Kingdom Assessment Center.

"We in Dionia must pass the assessment every year to select public officials. The examination time is concentrated in October, because this time is the slack season, and citizens have enough time to prepare. At the beginning of the year, various cities and departments The chief official will report the number of public officials needed and vacant for the year to the Kingdom Officials Management Committee based on the situation under his jurisdiction. His Majesty will discuss with several adults on the committee to determine the assessment to be carried out by the kingdom this year. The selected quota of public officials in each department and the specific assessment time are then distributed to each department, and the city halls of each city then notify the citizens of the Kingdom in the form of announcements.

Anyone who is willing to participate will pay attention to this news and make preparations in advance.Before coming to Turui for the assessment, they must first obtain a certificate from the City Hall of the city where they live to confirm their citizenship, and as a well-behaved law-abiding citizen..." Henipolis made a gesture to them as they walked Introduction.

"What if someone from the local city hall accepted a bribe and concealed his illegal record?" Oleas asked.Even in Athens, when it came time to pay taxes each year, wealthy citizens from the suburbs bribed officials in Demo to undercount their property so they could pay less.What's more, they are very interested in how a country as vast as the Kingdom of Dionia can strengthen supervision of officials in remote areas.

"Even if he deceived the examiner this time and succeeded in becoming an official of the kingdom. But don't forget that we also have inspectors who monitor the whereabouts of officials, tribunes who can complain at any time when they see injustice, and people who are familiar with Dio." People who follow the laws of Nia, they can report to the City Hall and the Senate at any time. At that time, this person will not only be severely punished, but also can trace the facts that he concealed for him based on the certificates issued at the time that are left in his file. Official responsibility for truth.

(End of this chapter)