Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

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 is opposite to the Acropolis not far to the east, next to the once famous Council of Ares, which is a symbol of the Athenian people turning their heads. After the burning of the city by the Persians and the celebration of Athens' victory in the Hippo War, it was rebuilt again. This 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 they 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 will be able to break through the barrier of the isthmus and force us under the city of Athens. Our long wall has not been repaired, and the Spartans cannot be filthy. Trample on our newly restored port of Piraeus and the territory of Attica that has not been restored to life! And if we lose, Sparta will hurt Athens this time more than the last time, Athens will never again I can't stand this kind of torture! Andor Kidds, who was born 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 asked the council to authorize me to lead the troops I trained 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 like to call the people living in the Attica region the mountain man or the country man),

He knew that due to the long-term ravages of the Attica region by the Spartans during the Peloponnesian War, Ifikrates hated the Spartans extremely, and had been studying how to defeat the Spartan heavy infantry: You Trained troops? You mean the nearly 1,000 troops made up of Thracian light shields and Cretan archers? Can these light infantry alone defeat the Spartans?!

We must admit that compared to the Spartans, who were brutally trained from childhood, our civics cannot compete with them. But the heavy infantry also has shortcomings, they are slow and difficult to turn. So let the agile light infantry at long distances Throwing javelins and arrows at them, the heavy infantry cannot catch up with the light infantry, and can only be beaten passively. Ifikrates said confidently: I believe you have all heard that Davos, the consul of Dionia, was killed by The Great Greeks called him the 'invincible general', and he was a man who was good at using light infantry. I know that he also formed light infantry into separate groups. Especially in the second war with Crotone At that time, he made full use of the light infantry and defeated Crotone's heavy infantry flank, which finally led to the defeat of the Crotone battle, so I am confident 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. Other generals also agreed. After all, when 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. Thrathyblos 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 cheating, slippery, and not doing our best.

I see, Thrasiboulos, it's up to you to be thoughtful. Ifikrates expressed his sincere thanks, and at the same time requested: Then I need a deputy to lead our civic soldiers.

Thrathyblos thought for a while, then looked back at Konon and said, How about sending Timothy?

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

Others mostly agree.

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. Before, he had sworn to Thraxibolos and said, '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 created military miracles many times, should create a miracle again and turn the tide of the war!  …”

Of course we are all happy if there is a miracle, because it is good for Athens. We also hope that Dionysus can make the miracle happen, at least to hold the Syracuse people and let the war in Greater Greece continue. The god Thrasibulus said with a serious expression: But we also have to prepare for Dionia to be conquered by Syracuse. Once the Great Greek War is over, Diorintheus is likely to agree to Sparta. At your request, send Syracuse's navy and army to aid Sparta!

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.

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 top, 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. morale!

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

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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: the council take immediate action to stop the intrusion of the Syracuses!