Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece - Chapter 386

[Chapter 53 Declaring War on Lokrie]

In fact, there are some cultural ties between Dionia and Locri.

When the city of Turii was established, Protagoras, the wise man of Athens, made laws for it. He did not arbitrarily adopt the Athenian laws. Instead, he chose the famous Locke based on the fact that Turii was a city-state with numerous immigrants and complex sources. The lawmaker Zaleukus made the laws of Turii on the basis of the laws made by Lokri.

The Dionysian League was founded on the ruins of the original Turii city, and absorbed the essence of the original Turii law.

Zaleukus, known for his harsh laws, once stipulated: “Anyone who wants to change any of the existing laws must first put a rope around his neck, and if his proposal is not passed, then He will be strangled to death.” Zaleukus enforced the law impartially and impartially throughout his life.

When his son broke the law, he would have his eyes gouged out according to the law, and he did not hesitate to execute it.

However, out of father-son friendship, he dug out one of his own eyes instead of his son.

There are such characters to set an example and such laws to govern the Locles, so unlike the enthusiasm and escapism of ordinary Greek city-state citizens, the Locles are known in Greater Greece for their obedience (of course, there is another Dionysia later.) people), while also making them more obedient to orders, so that they can fight against Crotone, which is stronger than it.

Perhaps it is precisely because of the strictness of the law that the protector of the city-state in Lokri did not choose the powerful gods like Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Athena, etc., but chose two gentle and gentle gods. The goddess – Aphrodite, the god of love and beauty, and the queen of the underworld, Persephone, the goddess of fertility, and also built magnificent temples for the two goddesses.

So, when Dionia holds the Hades celebration on September 9th every year, a few Lokri will also rush to participate, not only because of the unusual ceremony and lively scene of Turian, but also because When the Dionysus sacrificed Hades, they also celebrated his queen Persephone.

At the same time, it is precisely because the city-state’s patron saints are two goddesses, the social status of the women in Lokli is higher than that of other city-states, they are allowed to wear veils in public, and they also have partial property inheritance rights.

This is somewhat similar to Dionia.

However, the two Greek forces with somewhat similar cultures and similar customs are unfortunately going to become enemies.

Before Fraucleon arrived in Locleon, the Loclery Council already knew about the assassination of Archon Dionia.

Although Turii blocked the whole city shortly after the incident, Dionia, as the overlord of South Italy, not only Locri, but also other city-states in the South-Italian Alliance, and Tarantum all sent or More or less eyes and ears are stationed or hidden in the city and port of Turii, to keep abreast of Dionia’s movements at any time, so that the city-state can make corresponding countermeasures in time.

Therefore, as soon as such a big riot occurs, it will naturally be observed by people with a heart. After quickly finding out the situation, they either take boats or horses and rush to their city-states one after another.

Fraucleon set out the next day, but fell behind. His boat entered the port of Locley, and the public officials of the port quickly spread the news to the council of the city. I was surprised why the messenger appeared here at this time.

A few of the generals and deputies of Locley knew a little bit of the true story of the assassination, such as General Demodocus, brother of Dionysius’ wife Doris, who wished Dionysius I am afraid that Ya is going to protest to Syracuse again, but he did not expect the messenger of Dionia to appear here.

Although surprised, out of courtesy and respect for Dionia, the Southern Italian overlord, Fraucleon was invited into the chamber.

Like other democratic city-states, Locley is the highest authority in the Citizens Assembly. Except for discussing and deciding important city-state affairs, the usual political affairs are handed over to the General’s Executive Committee and Council.

The council is simply a reduced citizen assembly, which divides all citizens participating in the citizen assembly into many groups.

There are usually ten groups, and they take turns to participate in the city-state politics through the council. Therefore, there are eight generals and several hundred council members in the council at this time. Many times as many.

Fraucleon made preparations, and at the invitation of the chairman of the council, he walked to the center of the venue.

“Members of Locley, I, Fraucleon, came here as the messenger of the Dionysian Alliance, and I came here to indict Locley on behalf of all the citizens of Dionia!” Fraucleon bluntly explained his intentions. .

As soon as his voice fell, it caused a burst of consternation and commotion among the surrounding councillors.

He did not stop speaking, but raised his voice: “I think you are all aware of the terrible incident of the assassination of Davos, the great consul of Dionia, and the commander-in-chief of the citizens, which stirred up all The anger of the citizens of Dionia! Now, an assassin was caught on the spot. After interrogation, he revealed the truth and admitted that he was hired and helped by a Lokri businessman named Aurora to successfully infiltrate the map. Eh, to Archon Davos—”

“This is slander! It’s framed!” Loclery chief general Demodocas immediately interrupted Flauclion and retorted loudly: “Loclery will not provoke you Dionia for no reason! Loclery will not provoke you Dionia! People are not so stupid! …”

“But the facts are the facts! After a detailed investigation by Turii, everything is conclusive! The Dionysian Senate has confirmed it again and again, and finally determined that the mastermind behind this assassination is your Locle!” Everyone off the field shouted angrily.

The council immediately exploded: “Is the Dionysian Senate all fools! What does this have to do with us, Locri, why don’t you question Syracuse!”

“This is obviously a common trick used by that lord. He has assassinated political enemies who oppose him many times in other city-states in Sicily!”

“What evidence is there, it must be fake! Dionia only dares to blame Locri, because you don’t have the guts to provoke Syracuse, even if the businessman named O… Aurora is from Locri, He may also have been bought by other city-states, have you, Dionia, interrogated him? It is so easy to conclude that it was ordered by us Lokri!”

…

Fraucleon ignored their arguments and abuse, and continued: “For this reason, the Dionysian Senate and all the citizens are extremely angry at Locle’s despicable behavior, and demand that you accept punishment. First of all, repent of you to Hades. wrong, must send messengers to Turii to make a public apology to the Senate; secondly, to make reparations to the people of Dionia who were wounded and killed in this incident; and finally—”

Facing the indignant audience, Fraucleon was unafraid, and his voice was firm and loud: “Sever the alliance with Syracuse! If this is the case, Dionia will forgive Locle’s previous actions, and Accept you into-”

Before Fraucleon could finish his words, he was drowned out by an angry roar: “Lochli did nothing wrong at all, why should he accept these unreasonable demands of your Dionia!”

“This is a humiliation! A humiliation to Lokrey!!”

“This is Dionia’s conspiracy! They want to break up Locri’s alliance with Syracuse!”

…

The members of the council were not only scolding, but even a few people rushed to the center of the venue despite the dissuasion of others.

The one who ran at the front was Diopantos, one of the generals. The grumpy general rushed up and punched Fraucleon directly, knocking him to the ground.

Just when he was about to kick another kick, another general, Metrofinis, hugged him and shouted anxiously: “Don’t violate the sacred tradition of ‘the inviolability of the envoys of the city’, and don’t violate the laws of Lochry. !”

Hearing the word “law”, all the Locle people who had just rushed up to surround Floccion froze.

Metrofinis took the opportunity to shout: “Lord Demodocus, if you don’t persuade them, they will be severely punished for breaking the law!”

Demodocas, who was originally watching the fun, was named and mentioned by Metrofinis. As the chief general, he had to stand up and first defended: “Shame Locri is Locri’s enemy, everyone maintains the honor of the city-state. , how can it be considered illegal?!”

“Sir, you’re right!” Someone immediately echoed.

“Okay, UU reading www.sonicmtl.com Everyone, please step back. The conference hall is a sacred place. We, Lockley, are a civilized city-state, but not Turui, so we can’t do things to humiliate the messenger…” Modokas walked forward while talking, and the members of the council also returned to their seats obediently.

Demodocus served as the chief general of Locri for nine consecutive years, mainly because of his in-law Dionysius.

The original alliance between Locle and Syracuse was to use the power of Syracuse to defeat Crotone, the sworn enemy for many years, but I did not expect Crotone to be weakened, but a stronger Diony emerged. After the establishment of the Asian League, especially the South Italian League, Locri became more isolated in Greater Greece, so it relied more on Syracuse, which made the status of the Demodocas family more prominent. On Dionysius’ intention to support his brother-in-law, Demodocus’ influence in Lochry has changed from what it used to be.

Diopantos snorted unwillingly and backed away.

Frau Kleon stood up staggeringly, still refusing to admit defeat: “The old city of Turiyi was burned down because of the humiliation of the messenger…”

“Dionysians, if you want to be brave, you have to look at the place. This is not the city-states in the so-called South Italian Alliance who please you Dionia. This is Locle!” Demodocus sneered, proud He said loudly: “Lochli has neither, nor would he disdain to do anything like assassinating your consul, so we refuse any unreasonable request of Dionia, please go back!”

Refuse!

Although this answer was expected, Fraucleon was still delighted. He calmly wiped the blood from the corners of his mouth with his fingers, stretched his hand in front of Demodocus, twisted it, and then unfolded it. There was blood on the palm of the hand.

He looked solemn and said word by word: “That means war!”