Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece - Chapter 455

[Chapter 122 Ifikrates]

On a hillside once called Prix in the southwest corner of the city of Athens, a hundred years ago the Athenians built a magnificent conference hall to celebrate the overthrow of the tyrant Pisistratus, which can accommodate 500 people at the same time. It faces the Acropolis not far to the east, and is next to the once-famous Council of the Ares, which is a symbol of the Athenian people turning their heads.

After the Persians burned the city and Athens won the victory celebration in the Hippo War, it was rebuilt again, which is the famous Council of 500!

The Athens City Hall is next to this magnificent building, which is so inconspicuous, but the “ten generals” elected every year work here.

Today the general governing council of Athens convened and invited Isocrates to discuss the war in Corinth and the war in Greater Greece.

The chief general Thalassibos spoke first: “Generals, today Corinth sent messengers to Athens to ask us for reinforcements. The situation in Corinth is not very good now, and the Spartans are attacking fiercely, and they are somewhat unable to resist, which makes the situation in Corinth not very good. The arrogance of the pro-Spartan nobles in the city has soared. They proposed to make peace with Sparta at the council meeting, and won the support of some people. The morale of the Corinthians is weakening…”

“We must support Corinth! Otherwise! Once Corinth falls to Sparta, the Spartans can break through the barrier of the isthmus and force us under the city of Athens, our long walls are not yet repaired, and the dirty feet of the Spartans cannot be trampled on. We have just resumed trade. The port of Piraeus and the territory of Attica that has not been revived! And if we lose, Sparta will definitely hurt Athens more this time than the last, and Athens can no longer withstand such torture. !” Andor Kidders, who was born as a speaker, said angrily.

His words reminded the others of the dark reign of the “Thirty Tyrants” ten years ago, so they all expressed their opinions: “Aid Corinth immediately! Send more soldiers to support Corinth and block Sparta’s attack!”

“It’s not enough to block the Spartans. From the beginning of the war to now, our coalition has never defeated the Spartans in the wild. If things go on like this, the morale of the coalition will only get lower and lower. Those who hate Sparta , The city-states that are still watching will also lose the courage to resist. Therefore, we must defeat the Spartans to finally win this war!” A younger general exclaimed.

“How easy is it to defeat the Spartans on land, Ifikrates!” The loser of the Battle of the Sheep River, the victor of the Battle of Knidoan, returned to Athens and brought back a whole huge fleet The general Konon sighed: “If the Spartans can be defeated on land, coupled with our invincible navy, how can the Spartans be rampant today!”

“So I ask the council to authorize me to lead me The trained troops will go to support Corinth. I will do my best to defeat the Spartans!” Ifikrates said firmly.

Thalassibos looked at the mountain man from the Kelatea region of Attica (people born in the city of Athens liked to call those who lived in the Attica region “the mountain man or the country man”), and

he knew that because of the During the Roponnesian War, the Spartans had ravaged the Attica region for a long time. Ifikrates hated the Spartans extremely, and had been studying how to defeat the Spartan heavy infantry: “The troops you trained? You mean the army of nearly a thousand men consisting of Thracian light shields and Cretan archers? Can these light infantry alone defeat the Spartans?!”

“We must admit, and accept from childhood Compared to the brutally trained Spartans, our civic soldiers can’t compete with them. But heavy infantry also has shortcomings, they move slowly and turn inconveniently. So let the nimble light infantry throw javelins and arrows at them at long distances, The heavy infantry cannot catch up with the light infantry, so they can only be beaten passively.” Ifikrates said confidently: “I believe you have all heard of Davos, the consul of Dionia, who was called ‘undefeated’ by the great Greeks. The famous general’, he is a person who is good at using light infantry. I know that he also organized light infantry into a brigade alone. Especially in the second war with Crotone, he made full use of light infantry, The defeat of the Crotone heavy infantry flank finally led to the defeat of the Crotone battle, so I have the confidence to use this light infantry team to defeat the Spartans!”

Thalassibolos looked at Konon after hearing this.

Konon nodded and said loudly: “I expect Ifikrates to defeat the Spartans!”

“I agree to send Ifikrates to lead his army to Corinth.” Andokides also agreed.

“I have no objection.” The other generals also agreed. After all, when everyone in the world was afraid of fighting Sparta on land, one person suddenly stood up and said with confidence, ‘He can defeat Sparta!

‘, this confidence alone is enough to inspire everyone.

“I agree too.” Thrasibulus also voted in favor, and then he reminded: “However, Ephitrates, when you lead the light infantry you trained to Corinth, you must also bring us with you. Let them be engaged in the frontal defense of Sparta, so as not to misunderstand the Corinthians that we are stealing, slippery, and not doing our best.”

“I see, Thrathibulos, you should be more thoughtful. .” Ifikrates expressed his sincere gratitude, and at the same time asked: “Then I need a deputy to lead our civic soldiers.”

Thrathibulos thought for a while, looked back at Konon, and said, “Piti How about Moses?”

Timothy was Konon’s eldest son, although he was only in his twenties, he was already a very experienced man because he followed his father in Persia for many years, helping his father with military affairs and participating in combat. Generals, especially in naval battles.

Konon knew that proposals like Thrasibulus would be helpful in increasing his son’s influence in Athens, since he had been in Persia before, and the citizens of Athens were unfamiliar with him.

But at the same time fighting Sparta, there is also a great danger to life.

But Konon answered without hesitation: “No problem.”

Most of the others agreed.

“In this case, I will make a proposal to the council this afternoon, which should be approved and send reinforcements to Corinth.” Thalassibolos made a decision, his expression still not relaxed, he looked around the crowd and said in a deep voice: “Just now Ifikrates talked about Dionia, everyone should know about the war that took place in Great Greece. Dionia, who is friendly with us, is in a very bad situation now. Not only did the battle fail, the enemy was surrounded by enemies, the sea route was blocked, and There also seems to be a rebellion in the country… Isocrates, you have been to Dionia and know it better than we are. Do you think that in the current state of Dionia, it can withstand the attack of the Syracuses? ”

To be honest, Isocrates was a little embarrassed at this time, and he had sworn to Thraxiblos before, ‘Dionia is more dangerous to the Greek world than Syracuse.

‘Unexpectedly, Dionysus was about to be destroyed in the blink of an eye.

As a scholar and an orator, Isocrates was not a scholar who only knew how to use his brain, his mouth, his hands, and the military. In fact, every Athenian citizen participated in the At least one or two fights.

Therefore, he cleared his throat and said slowly in a hoarse voice: “The southern Italian coalition failed in the battle, many of the great Greek city-states have been conquered by the Syracuses, Dionia is also attacked by enemies on all sides, and the domestic political situation is unstable. But please note that Dionia’s army has not suffered a complete defeat, and their commander Davos has not returned from Lucania. How can we rashly conclude that Dionia will be completely defeated. What! It is said that Davers, who is said to have been blessed by Hades and who has performed military miracles many times, once again performed miracles and turned the tide of the war!

” Athens is beneficial. We also hope that Dionia can make miracles happen, at least to hold back the Syracuses and let the war in Great Greece continue!” The god Thrasibulus said with a serious expression: “But we Also prepare for Dionia to be conquered by Syracuse. Once the Great Greek War is over, Diorinius will likely agree to Sparta’s request and send Syracuse’s navy and army to aid Sparta Da!”

“I heard that Syracuse has more than 400 three-tier oars alone. Even if 1/3 is sent, it will change the situation of Sparta’s navy, which is now completely at a disadvantage!” After the Spartan Navy, the prudent veteran still did not let his guard down.

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“And Syracuse has a huge army of up to 80,000 people, which is double the number of soldiers when our Athens attacked Sicily! Athena is on, is Syracuse still a Greek city-state? ?!” Andokides exclaimed.

Other generals also expressed their unease.

Thrasibulus once again set his sights on Ifikrates, and said with expectation: “So under such a severe situation now, I hope you can give the arrogant Spartans a setback and inspire the anti-Spartan alliance. My

morale!”

Effie Crateston felt a great responsibility, but he still said confidently: “Athena will bless me, and you will wait for the news of my victory!”

…………………………

In the past two days, the Syracuse fleet has frequently landed on the coast of Castellon territory, attacking the Castellon people, destroying villages and farmlands outside the city.

People who have lost their homes and loved ones gather in front of the council every day, angrily demanding that the council take immediate action to stop the intrusion of the Syracuses!