Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 46: The choice of Syracuse

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When power fell into the hands of the Syracuse Democrats again, Theagennis, Falekus, and Stesicos, who had learned the lessons of the past, did not make another twenty-five general as before. The strange government system of Syracuse has restored the traditional democratic system of Syracuse, the ten generals, the Council of Hundreds, and the citizens’ assembly. It also continued some of the policies and bills implemented by Herolis during the reign, and at the same time gave Dio Nia’s war reparations are also continuing to be paid.

Siracuse’s political situation has been in turmoil in the years since Syracuse’s defeat by Dionia, which has drained the people’s energy and enthusiasm, and has also given some elites a sense of Syracuse’s prospects. Feeling disappointed, such as Ferrosanus, he accepted the invitation of the Dionian Academy to teach in Turii, and at the same time wrote to King Daves several times, asking him to cut back on Syracuse. War reparations.

It wasn't until the eleventh year of the Kingdom of Dionia that Daves generously wrote off the war reparations.

The political situation in Syracuse once again returned to stability and began to gradually regain its vitality. However, in the previous turmoil, Syracuse’s agriculture and trade have been hit hard. Many free citizens and businessmen fled here and chose Katane, which is booming.

When the quiet Syracuse people opened their eyes and looked out, they suddenly discovered that Syracuse, who once dominated Sicily and the Megatron Western Mediterranean, is not as powerful as its former enemy, the Kingdom of Dionia. A subordinate city-Katane, and the allied states that clustered around Syracuse in the past, such as Camanlina, Gela, Agrigento, and many other city states, have long been severed from Syracuse. Instead, go to please Dionia...

The people of Syracuse both cherish the glory of the past and hate the culprit-Dionia, and most of the tax that Syracuse receives each year is used to pay war reparations. So a strange phenomenon appeared on Sicily: when all the Greek city-states in Sicily were making good relations with the Kingdom of Dionian, Syracuse was alienating this powerful neighbor from top to bottom. They refused every invitation from Dionian to celebrate, but they had many disputes and conflicts with the allied city-states of Dionian—Leottini and Taunis—on the issue of land on the border.

These performances of Syracuse were seen by Carthage, so this time the envoys sent by Carthage were responsible for "letting Syracuse join the alliance against the kingdom of Dionian." mission.

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In the Syracuse City Hall, ten Syracuse generals looked a little dignified after the Carthage envoy walked out of the meeting room.

"I don't understand, Dionia and Carthage have maintained friendly exchanges for more than ten years. Why is there a sudden war?!" General Hiktas from the port area wondered. Asked. Compared with the Syracuse people in other areas, the civilians in the port area still have a slight preference for Dionia, because it was with the help of the Dionians that the civilians in the port area finally organized and rebelled against Dionia. The tyranny of Onisius has formed a force that cannot be ignored in the political arena of Syracuse.

"Don’t understand! Carthage and Dionia have been able to maintain a friendly relationship for more than ten years because they both need time to regain their strength. In fact, not only Sicily, but the entire West The Mediterranean also cannot accommodate two powerful countries. They will inevitably go to war due to conflicts of interest. It used to be Carthage and our Syracuse, but now it is just replaced by Dionia..." Paroni Suss had a low voice, as if recalling the old days of Syracuse. As an official who once served for Dionysius, after the riots, due to the opposition of his sailors, he did not join the war to suppress the insurgents and later escaped punishment. In the subsequent war to overthrow the murderer Andemacus, he fought bravely, made great achievements, and was recognized by the people, and has been elected as a general several times.

"If there is a war between Dionian and Carthage, it will be a great opportunity for us in Syracuse! These years, since Dionian occupied Katane and Naxos in Sicily After the cities of Siculi, the influence on our Syracuse was too great. Freedmen are more willing to live in Catana and Naxos, and merchant ships are more willing to go to Catana for trade, Sicily Other city-states in the United States are also more willing to communicate with them. In the long run, when will Syracuse regain its former glory!" The Chief General Theagennis obviously supports the cooperation with Carthage to fight against Dionia. .

"But, can Carthage defeat Dionia?" Cuzias expressed concern. Ten years ago, he experienced the war that determined the hegemony of Western Mediterranean Greece. He had heard and witnessed Dior. An army of Nia landed in Sicily and finally defeated the tens of thousands of troops led by Masias.

"Yeah, Dionia’s army is too powerful! The year before last, they easily defeated the Sikelians and occupied many of their towns. Now the Sikelians surround them like dogs. Turn to the Dionians." Falekus took the conversation. As a comrade who had fought side by side with the Dionian army to overthrow the rule of Dionysius, he also knew the strength of Dionian. Don’t support fighting against Dionia: "Our strength in Syracuse is different from the past. The surrounding area has been surrounded by the city of Dionia and its friendly allies. Once we declare war on Dionia, their The army can kill our city immediately. The Dionians may be looking forward to us breaking the agreement so that they can break through the city of Syracuse and achieve the purpose of unifying eastern Sicily!"

The meeting room fell silent. Over the years, the generals knew that Syracuse was able to exist independently because of the agreement reached between Carthage, Sparta, and Dionia.

At this time, Stesicos said in a deep voice: "Everyone, if we don't provoke Dionia, will Dionia let Syracuse go? Once Carthage is defeated, Syracuse Is it possible to remain independent?! No! Like Katane, Crotone, and Lokri, we will be forced to integrate into the Kingdom of Dionia, become an ordinary city, and lose the long history that we are proud of. History and glory! So, I think to help Carthage is to help ourselves!"

Stacy Kos' words moved the other generals.

"Everyone, you only see the power of Dionia, but Carthage is also very powerful. In these years, the Carthaginians have conquered Numibia in the interior of Africa, and also conquered Iberia. In the southern part of the peninsula, their land is even wider than that of the Kingdom of Dionian. More than ten years ago, when Carthage fought with us, it could organize an army of 100,000 people. Now it is even easier. Reached!"

Theagennis waved his arms emotionally, trying to convince the other generals: "In addition, don’t forget that Carthage’s ally, Rome, which may be at war with Dionia, is also very powerful. , Is the overlord of central Italy, with powerful heavy infantry, it is by no means so easy to deal with. Carthage and Rome joined hands, it has made Dionia difficult to resist, let alone listen to the words of the Carthage envoy just now , They have other helpers...Dionia has fallen into the encirclement of Carthage's arrangement. If we don't join at this time, what are we waiting for!"

The Syracuses have had close military and trade ties with the west coast of Italy for decades, especially the Campania League, although the Campania League has fallen to Dionia in recent years , But the unwilling Syracuses did not reduce their attention to there, so they knew better about the situation in Rome.

"Ten years ago, Dionysius also put Dionia in a heavy siege. What happened? We all know it." Hiktas said lightly.

"But this time is different!" Theagennis glared at him, and wanted to continue to persuade him.

Xiktas said coldly: "This time is indeed different, because compared to a decade ago, Dionia's territory has increased several times, and its strength has also increased several times."

Theagennis was suffocated when he heard the words, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

At this time, Falekus said in a deep thought, "I think it's done this way. Let's not promise the Carthaginians, so that we won't blindly put Syracuse in a dangerous situation. If, Carthage did declare war on Dionia, and it has a great advantage, so it’s not too late for us to join it."

"I agree." Kuzias immediately agreed: "This is the prudent approach!"

Soon, several other generals also agreed one after another, including Stacy Kos.

Theagennis 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. The other generals either participated in the riots against Dionysius that year, had a deep combat friendship and gained a lot of fans; or some were representatives of some special people's groups. After he escaped from Syracuse that year, his foundation in the city was already wiped out. Because he first provoked a rebellion against Herolis, after Herolis successfully returned, he was suppressed again and finally gathered. The people who supported him left him again.

The reason why Theagennis, who has no strong support, has been able to serve as the chief general for the past two years, is because the citizens of Syracuse need him, a person with no strength but a reputation to balance a group of strengths. Former friends of the mighty Herolis, avoid dictatorship.

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