Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 54: The fall of Thebes
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"Oh, that cunning Phoebe Das!"
Among the Spartans who are most familiar to these military ministers, apart from the Grithorpes who has come to Turri many times for negotiations, it is probably Phoebe Das. However, in the hearts of Dionians, his image can be said to be notorious. Not only did he participate in and command the military operations of Syracuse’s invasion of Dionia in the battle in Southern Italy, he also designed the massacre of Dionysius. The Spaniards. Although the Dionian people hated Dionysius, Phoebe Das' betrayal and deceit also made them feel very disdainful.
"Your Majesty, what is Phoebe Das doing?" Tolmid asked curiously.
"He has just been appointed by the Spartan Council of Elders as the coach for the conquest of the Kalkidik League." Davers said.
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At this moment, Phoebe Das, who was talked about by several military officers of Dionia, is leading a group of troops through the Isthmus of Corinth. His task is to lead the main force of Sparta to the Kalkidijk peninsula, help Macedonia get back the lost land, defeat Olympus, and dismantle the Kalkidijk alliance.
This is an extremely important task. Phoebe was not in the turn, because although the trapping of Dionysius was an order issued by the Council of Elders, some Spartan elders still carried out this massacre. Phoebe Das on the mission was disgusted and opposed to letting him lead, but Agsilius' insistence allowed him to finally get this appointment.
The army is about to enter the Piotja area.
At this time, Phoebe Das repeatedly reminded the officers of the troops at all levels to be vigilant and march cautiously.
Because after the Corinthian War, Thebes was the last city-state to accept the Great King’s peace treaty, and was forced to dismantle the Piosha Alliance, which the Thebes had been working hard for, the Thebes’ attitude towards Sparta I must be very dissatisfied. Although Thebes has not taken any provocative actions against Sparta in recent years, Phoebe Das did not dare to take it lightly so as not to betray Agsilius' trust.
After passing through the ruins of Platia, the Spartan army was almost approaching the territory of Thebes.
Phoebedas saw that the sky was getting late, and ordered the troops to camp on the spot.
Just as the soldiers began to get busy, a secretive man came from Thebes and insisted to meet Phoebedas.
When the guards led him into the Great Tent, he respectfully saluted Phoebe Das, and then said: "Respected General Phoebe Das, I am Leon Tiadas' confidant slave."
Filidas certainly knows who Leon Tiadas is.
The Thebes hate Sparta, but not everyone is like that. Just like the citizens of Athens and Corinth have pro-Spartans, the Thebes also have them because of their domestic promotion. , Thebes finally accepted the Great King’s treaty, and because of Sparta’s strength in recent years, Thebes had to reuse the suppressed pro-Spartan faction to show Thebes in order not to provoke it. Spartan’s friendly meaning to Sparta, Leon Tiadas is the leader of the pro-Spartan faction, and he is also one of Thebes’ military consuls this year (Thebes is also a dual consul regime) .
After confirming the Persian silver mask that Agsilius gave to Leon Tiadas half a year ago, Phoebe Das’s serious expression became gentle, and he asked: “Leon Tiadas What do you want to tell me when Das sent you?"
The slave didn't speak, but looked back and forth at the guards on both sides.
Phoebedas knows, but says loudly: "They are the heroic soldiers of Sparta, my comrades-in-arms, there is nothing to keep secret!"
Seeing that Phoebe Das said so, the slave had no choice but to bite the bullet and said: "General, my master would like to invite you to lead your troops to attack the Acropolis of Thebes."
It turned out that although Leon Tiadas was elected as the consul, the anti-Spartans in the council and the citizen assembly accounted for the overwhelming majority. His rights were greatly restricted, and in fact it became a decoration . The proud and arrogant he felt humiliated, and secretly determined to change this embarrassing political situation.
At this time, he saw the Spartan troops approaching. Two days later, it happened to be the Mother’s Day of Thebes (the celebration of Demeter). Celebrate holidays for women. On the day of the Mother’s Day of Thebes, city-state women who have been doing housework can celebrate in the temple of the Acropolis. Because they are required to stay at home all the year round, they will have some wandering behaviors when they are free on this day, so the city-state Men should avoid it. This custom is similar to the Bacchus Festival.
So, he made a risky decision: unite with the Spartans, capture the Acropolis of Thebes, capture the anti-Spartans, and completely control the power of Thebes.
After listening to the slave's detailed account, Phoebe Das was surprised and moved.
While he was pondering, the Spartan adjutant next to him couldn’t help but said: “Phoebe Das, the task given by the Council of Elders is to go to Kalkidik and attack Olympus, not in Without the permission of the Council of the Elders, he rashly attacked Thebes and triggered a new war."
When the slave heard this, he looked anxiously at the leader of the Spartan army.
If it is an ordinary Spartan general, he may strictly follow the instructions of the Council of Elders and never make any extravagances. But Phoebe Das is different. He was originally daring to fight with Dionysius in the South-Italian War. In the days when we got along, I learned more about the cunning and viciousness to achieve the goal, at any cost, so he muttered and said: "Sorax, after the Peloponnesian War, the Spartan army can be free In and out of Central Greece, after the last war, we led the army to pass through here, we must obtain the prior consent of several important city-states in Central Greece, otherwise we can only go to North Greece by boat. Do you know why this is?"
The adjutant named Thorax said without hesitation: "It's because Athens, Thebes...these Chinese and Greek city-states oppose us."
"So you see Sparta is blocked by Athens and Thebes on the Peloponnese. It is very unfree to move. We need to make Thebes an ally of Sparta again. This is far more than an attack. The Kalkidijk thousands of miles away is much more important! Now we are close to the territory of Thebes, and the Thebans are about to hold a celebration. Obviously they think we will lead the army to North Greece, so they are completely negligent. We have missed this great opportunity and will regret it!" Phoebe Das said in a deep voice, his fists clenched, his eyes gleaming with greed.
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Thebes is on the southern plain of Lake Yelika, and its city happens to be stuck on the main road leading to western Central Greece and northern Greece. The east and west sides are covered by mountains stretching three to four hundred meters above sea level. As for it is too difficult, it is far less convenient than going directly through Thebes. Thebes also relied on the fertility and convenient transportation of the southern plains of Lake Yelika to make it a major state in Greece.
The Acropolis of Thebes was built on an oval-shaped high ground called Kadmia in the city. It is also one of the best city-states in Central Greece. Only due to topographical restrictions, the city of Thebes is a rectangular shape that is long from north to south and narrow from east to west. The acropolis is almost next to the east wall near the mountain.
On the day of Mother Earth Festival
Phoebedas first led a part of the troops to sneak in the mountains east of Thebes. After Leon Tiadas used the power of his archon to open the guards of the east city gate, Phoebedas As soon as the army rushed in, he quickly occupied the dangerous but undefended acropolis.
The Thebes Council, which was composed of nobles, was threatened and blocked by the refugees hired by Leon Tiadas and could not gather citizens to resist in time.
The pro-Spartans formed an armed force to attack the southern gate of Thebes, opened the gate, put in the remaining Spartan troops, and led them to hunt and kill anti-Spartan people in the city. , There were screams in the city, and there was chaos...
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When the Spartans attacked Thebes, Pelopidas was attending a banquet hosted by Charon at home.
Charon is a well-known wealthy businessman in Thebes. He is bold and makes many friends. He invited many friends on the grounds that "women on Mother Earth’s Day are carnival in the temple, and we men can’t treat ourselves badly." Be a guest at home.
Ipermenon Daben is not on the list of invitations. At the age of 37, he has always been fascinated by learning. He rarely takes the initiative to participate in political affairs and does not like to make friends. He is not well-known in Thebes, but Pelopidas is His best friend forced him to come to the banquet.
During the banquet, Ipamenonda sat in the corner specially, quietly tasting the food, and quietly listening to other guests talking.
Pelopidas is the most noticeable. He is energetic, sharp-mouthed, quick-thinking, and rich in knowledge. In addition, he actively participates in politics as an adult. Although he is still young, he has already served as the city state’s leader. Important position, and is the most active member of the anti-Spartan faction, so many people surround him and take pride in talking with him.
In the middle of the banquet, one of their friends broke in and told them: The Spartans have entered the city and they are hunting and killing members of the pro-Spartans!
The shocking news caused chaos at the banquet.
Pelopidas was the first to respond. He shouted: "We must call the citizens quickly and drive the Spartans out! Who will go with me?!"
But no one came out to respond.
When Pelopidas was disappointed, he turned around and walked out, but was stopped by Ipamenonda: "My friend, please calm down! Felidas has said very clearly just now,'Yes Leon Tiadas colluded with the Spartans so that the Spartan army could easily enter the city. "This is a carefully conspired plan. The Spartans have already occupied the acropolis and have the assistance of traitors. You will not only make it impossible for the terrified citizens to fight against the ferocious Spartans unpreparedly, but you will also make yourself a delicacy for hungry wolves!"