Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece - Chapter 701

[Chapter 46 Syracuse’s Choice]

When power fell into the hands of the Syracuse Democrats again, the Argenis, Falecus, Staceikos and others who had learned the lessons of the past did not create a strange regime of twenty-five generals as before. , but restored the traditional democratic system of Syracuse, the Ten Generals, the Council of Hundreds, the Citizens’ Assembly, and continued some of the policies and laws implemented during the reign of Herolis, while giving Dionysian’s War reparations continued to be paid.

In the years since Syracuse was defeated by Dionia, its political situation has been in turmoil, draining the energy and enthusiasm of the people and leaving some elites disappointed by the prospects of Syracuse, For example, Pherothanus, he accepted the invitation of the Dionysian Academy to teach in Turii, and at the same time wrote several letters to King Davos, asking him to reduce the war reparations he demanded from Syracuse. .

It was not until the eleventh year of the kingdom of Dionia that Davos generously wrote off the war reparations.

The political situation in Syracuse regained its stability again and began to gradually regain its vitality.

But in the previous turmoil, Syracuse’s agriculture and trade have been hit hard, and many freedmen and merchants have fled here, choosing the thriving Catane.

When the quiet people of Syracuse opened their eyes and looked out, they were surprised to find that Syracuse, who once dominated Sicily and shook the Western Mediterranean, was not as strong as a subordinate of the former enemy Dionysian Kingdom. City – Catanay, and the allies that used to surround Syracuse, such as Carmanlina, Gera, Agrigento and many other city-states have already cut off contact with Syracuse, and instead went to please Dionia…

Syracuse people both reminisce about the glory of the past, but also hate the culprit who caused it all – Dionia, and most of the taxes Syracuse receives every year are used to pay war reparations .

So there is a strange phenomenon in Sicily: while all the Sicilian Greek city-states are befriending the kingdom of Dionia, Syracuse is alienating this powerful neighbor from top to bottom.

They refused every invitation of Dionysian celebrations, but they quarreled and clashed with Dionysian allied city-states, Leotine and Taunis, on the issue of border land.

These performances of Syracuse were seen by Carthage, so this time the messenger sent by Carthage shouldered the mission of “letting Syracuse join the alliance against the kingdom of Dionia”.

……………………………………

In the Syracuse City Hall, the ten Syracuse generals looked a little dignified after the Carthaginian messenger walked out of the conference room.

“I don’t understand. Dionia and Carthage have maintained friendly exchanges for more than ten years. Why is there a war suddenly?!” The general Hiktas from the port area asked suspiciously .

Compared with the people of Syracuse in other areas, the civilians in the port area still have a good impression of Dionia, because with the help of the Dionias, the civilians in the port area finally organized to resist Dionia. The tyranny of Onysius

thus formed a force to be reckoned with in the political arena of Syracuse.

“Don’t you understand! The reason why Carthage and Dionia have been able to maintain friendly exchanges for more than ten years is because they both need time to regain their strength. In fact, not only Sicily, but the entire Western Mediterranean also accommodates No less than two powerful countries, they will inevitably go to war because of the conflict of interests. It used to be Carthage and our Syracuse, but now it’s just replaced by Dionia…” The voice of Paronisus Deep, as if recalling the old days of Syracuse.

As an official who had served Dionysius, after the riot, he escaped punishment because he did not participate in the war against the insurgents due to the opposition of his sailors.

And in the war to overthrow the murderer Andemacus, he fought heroically and made great achievements, which was recognized by the people and has been elected as a general several times.

“If Dionysus goes to war with Carthage, it will be a great opportunity for us in Syracuse! In these years, since Dionysus has taken Catane, Naxos and Sicu in Sicily After benefiting from these cities, the impact on our Syracuse is too great. The free people are more willing to live in Katana and Naxos, and merchant ships are also more willing to go to Katana for trade, and other city-states in Sicily. I am more willing to associate with them, and in the long run, when will we Syracuse return to its former glory!” The chief general Tai Argenis obviously supported the cooperation with Carthage to fight against Dionia.

“However, can Carthage defeat Dionia?” Kukias expressed concern. More than ten years ago, he experienced the war that determined the Greek overlord in the Western Mediterranean, and he heard and witnessed Dionia’s war. A legion landed in Sicily and finally defeated an army of tens of thousands led by Macias.

“Yeah, Dionia’s army is too powerful! The year before last, they easily defeated the Sikers and occupied many of their towns. Now the Sikers are like dogs surrounding Dio. The Nias turn.” Falecus took over the conversation, as a comrade-in-arms who had fought side by side with the Dionysian army and jointly overthrew the rule of Dionysius, well aware of Dionysian’s strength, he also did not support the Against Dionia: “We in Syracuse are not as strong as they used to be. We are surrounded by the city of Dionia and its friendly allies. Once we declare war on Dionia, their armies can Kill us immediately. The Dionians may be expecting us to break the agreement so that they can break through the city of Syracuse and unify eastern Sicily!” The

conference room fell silent.

Over the years, over time, the generals learned that Syracuse could stand on its own because of an agreement between Carthage, Sparta, and Dionia.

At this time, Staceikos said in a deep voice: “Everyone, if we don’t provoke Dionia, will Dionia let Syracuse go? Once Carthage is defeated, Syracuse can still be maintained. Is independence possible?! No! We will be forced to merge into the kingdom of Dionia, just like Catane, Crotone, Locri, and become an ordinary city, losing the long history and splendor that we are proud of So, I think helping Carthage is also helping ourselves!”

Staceykos’ words moved the other generals.

“Gentlemen, you have only seen the strength of Dionia, but Carthage is also very powerful. Over the years, the Carthaginians have conquered Numibia, inland Africa, and the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. , The land they own is even wider than the kingdom of Dionia. When Carthage fought against us more than ten years ago, they were able to organize an army of 100,000 people, and now they can easily reach it!”

Theagenis waved his arms excitedly, trying to convince the other generals: “Also, don’t forget that Rome, the ally of Carthage, who may soon be at war with Dionia, is also very powerful, and it is Italy. The hegemon in the middle, with powerful heavy infantry, is by no means easy to deal with. Carthage and Rome have joined hands, and Dionia has been unable to resist, not to mention listening to the voice of the Carthaginian envoy just now, they still There are other helpers… Dionia has been trapped in the siege of Carthage, we don’t join at this time, what are you waiting for!” The

Syracuse people have had a close military relationship with the west coast of Italy for decades And trade, especially the Campania alliance, although the Campania alliance has fallen to Dionia in recent years, the unwilling Syracuse people have not reduced their attention there, so They know better about Rome.

“Ten years ago, Dionysius also put Dionysius in a tight siege. What happened? We all know it.” Hiktas said lightly.

“But this time is different!” Theagenis glared at him and wanted to continue to persuade.

Hiktas said coldly: “This time is indeed different, because compared with more than ten years ago, Dionia’s territory has increased several times, and its strength has also increased several times.

” , I didn’t know what to say for a while.

At this time, Falecus said ponderingly: “I think this is done. Let’s not promise the Carthaginians first, so that we will not blindly put Syracuse in a dangerous situation. If, Carthage It is indeed declaring war on Dionia, and it has a great advantage, so it is not too late for us to join it.”

“I agree.” Kuchias immediately agreed: “This is the only way It’s a prudent approach!”

Soon, several other generals also expressed their approval, including Staceikos.

Tai Argenis finally nodded helplessly, but he was very angry: he can be said to be the most powerless chief general in Syracuse for so many years.

Other generals either participated in the riots against Dionysius that year, and had a deep fighting camaraderie and gained a lot of supporters; or some were representatives of some special public groups.

And after he escaped from Syracuse that year, his foundation in the city had already been swept away, and because he first provoked a rebellion against Haroris, after Haroris successfully returned, he was suppressed again and finally gathered together. , and the people who supported him turned away from him.

The reason why Theagenis, who had no strong support, was able to serve as the chief general for the past two years, was because the citizens of Syracuse needed him, a man with little strength but a reputation to balance a group of powerful heroes. Rollis’ erstwhile friends, avoid a dictatorship.

However, Tergenis, who is stubborn and strong, has always believed that he is the one who can help Syracuse regain its glory.