Chapter 190
Generally speaking, the most impressive buildings in a Greek city-state were temples, arenas, theaters, and other large buildings. At this moment, Phoebidas and his entourage had yet to see many large buildings, but they were already impressed by the meticulous design and clean city. Phoebidas had been to Athens, a city famous for the Mediterranean Sea. Although prosperous, it was noisy and dirty. Sparta was quiet, but the entire city was as simple as a village. Only in Turií, simplicity, generosity, elegance, tranquility, and cleanliness were mixed together and had a full charm.
Dorobisis could not help but ask, "Who was the designer of this city?"
"Heraclides, the disciple of Hippodamos!" Olivers saw the surprised look on their faces and answered loudly.
"Oh, Hippodamos!" Dorobisis exclaimed. The name was not unfamiliar to the Sparta people, because he was the one who designed and built the Piraeus Harbor. It had created a lot of wealth for Athens, and Sparta had gone through a lot of trouble to seize it back then.
As they moved forward, they saw a huge white arch across the street. Sparta had never seen such an arch in any other city-state.
Dorobisis asked curiously, "What is this arch used for?"
Captain Olivers's expression turned solemn. He said in a low voice, "This is the Arch of Triumph! The victorious generals and soldiers will march through this arch to receive the greetings and cheers of the archons, Senate elders, and the citizens of the Alliance. There was a triumphal parade not long ago. Because we seized Neutum, the scene was really … Sigh, it's a pity that our First Brigade will have to wait for the next time … "
Phoebidas did not look at Olivers's regretful expression. He and the few Sparta warriors behind him looked up at the giant arch, shock and envy in their eyes. As a warrior, wasn't the greatest wish to win the cheers of their own city-state after defeating the enemy? That would make them feel that their blood and sacrifice were sacred and meaningful! But in the Greek polis, where democracy prevailed, this was hardly the case. The democrats believed that this would give the generals too much prestige and lead to dictatorship. Even though Sparta was founded on military might, the old elders would never allow the young and bloodthirsty Sparta warriors to get out of control. Lysander was the best example. And now, a colonial city-state in the remote western Mediterranean outside the Greek mainland actually did this, and will continue to do so … Phoebidas had mixed feelings. He did not want to talk to the patrol captain before, but now he asked, "How often do you have military training?"
"Why are you asking this?" Captain Olivers's expression was serious. He thought for a moment and said, "But there's no harm in telling you. Our Alliance citizens train once every seven days during the busy farming season. Now that it's the slack season, we train once every two to three days, and we train for an entire day each time! "
Such frequent military training had already surpassed most of the Greek city-states. No wonder these soldiers looked well-trained. This was also a city-state that valued military strength! Phoebidas had a hunch that it would be difficult to achieve his purpose of coming here.
Passing through the wide and flat Victory Square (after the triumphal procession, the newly built square finally had its own name. Since the main function of the square was to gather troops before the battle and hold the triumphal procession after the battle, the name "Victory" was well deserved), Phoebidas entered the grand Turií Senate Chamber.
The Chamber was so large that it could probably accommodate thousands of people. Therefore, the dozens of members of the Senate sitting in the front row looked very inconspicuous. Seeing Phoebidas coming in, all the senators stood up and applauded him. They also bowed respectfully to show their respect for Sparta. This finally made Phoebidas feel a sense of satisfaction.
The young man in the lead said, "Welcome, envoy of Sparta from afar! What prompted you to come to the Diónia Alliance? "
This must be the military genius that the young Archon of the Dionysian Alliance mentioned by Chrysops. Perhaps the Arch of Triumph was also his handiwork.
Phoebidas looked at him with sharp and aggressive eyes.
The Devers did not avoid his gaze. They also looked back at him with deep eyes, as if they wanted to see through his intentions.
In the eyes of the Devers, this Sparta man was wearing a bright scarlet cloak. He had long hair that was unusual for ordinary Greeks. His rough face not only had scars, but he also had arrogance that despised everything.
The Devers, who had a deeper understanding of this era, now felt that the envoy in front of them was the normal appearance of the Sparta people when facing outsiders. Chalisops was an exception.
The two men faced each other and stared at each other coldly. The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Cunogorata coughed twice, trying to break the tense atmosphere.
Phoebidas spoke. He went straight to the point and said, "I'm here on behalf of Sparta to denounce the Diónia Alliance!"
As soon as he said this, the elders were in an uproar.
"In order to protect the Greek city-states in Asia Minor, as well as the interests of all of Greece, we, Sparta, sent our army across the Aegean Sea to Asia Minor to fight against the Persia. However, at the critical moment, some of our soldiers were lured away from the battlefield in Asia Minor by you, which caused the war against the Persia to be thwarted. Even the governor, Tiburon, was banished by the Council of Elders! Therefore, the Council of Elders has sent me to denounce you for this traitorous act! "
So serious?! The elders looked at each other, slightly nervous.
"I don't understand." Cunogorata asked doubtfully, "You said we lured your soldiers away. The Diónia Alliance is thousands of miles away from Asia Minor. We have little contact with Sparta. How could we lure your soldiers away?!"
"You're right! As a newly established alliance, not only do we have no contact with Sparta, we don't even know where Asia Minor is! "Plesinas said exaggeratedly.
Phobidus acted as if he didn't hear anything. He just looked at Dyvers and sneered, "Those soldiers are mercenaries who participated in the Persian expedition! They fought together with your archons and some of you for more than a year in Persia. We have a deep relationship with them. Our officers in Asia Minor have seen foreigners frequently entering the camps of these mercenaries … "
Agathia saw Antonios, Capus, and the others secretly looking at him with questioning eyes. He shook his head gently.
"Are you sure these foreigners are citizens of our alliance?!" Antonios asked.
"I'm sure that the passenger ships these deserters took all sailed to Greece!" Phoebidas said firmly, "Therefore, the Sparta Elder Council has made a decision. 'The Diónia Alliance must hand over all the mercenaries who escaped here, and …" He raised his voice, "As punishment for the Diónia Alliance destroying Sparta's war against Persia, your archons are required to lead 5,000 soldiers to Asia Minor and join Sparta's army against Persia'."
"What?!" The elders were shocked, "What kind of logic is this?! The Diónia Alliance has no diplomatic relations with Sparta. What gives you Sparta the right to give us orders?! "
"Because you, as Greeks, destroyed Sparta's holy war against Persia on behalf of Greece! Because we, Sparta, are the leader of all Greece! "Phoebidas said proudly.
Devers laughed out loud.
Hearing the disdain in his laughter, the agitated elders immediately calmed down.
Mercies even asked, "Master Devers, what are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at how shameless Sparta is!" Devers glanced at Phoebidas with disdain. "Didn't Sparta collude with Persia, who has always been the enemy of Greece, and kill their own people to defeat Athens?! Now, why did Sparta start a war with Persia? "
"Why?" Mercies quickly asked.
"I heard that in order to get Persia to help it defeat Athens, Sparta signed an agreement with Persia, agreeing to give up the protection of the city-states in Asia Minor and give them to Persia. After the war was won, Sparta went back on its words, so the war between Sparta and Persia happened … "Devers looked at Phoebidas, who was acting a little unnaturally, and said," A traitor who betrayed the interests of a Greek city-state and repeatedly broke its promise said it represented all of Greece and fought a holy war against Persia! How can I not laugh?! "
"Yes, it's ridiculous! How can such a shameless city-state exist? It's a disgrace to Greece! "The elders, led by Antonio and Amyntas, deliberately mocked.
Phoebidas's face turned red, and he roared, "How dare you insult Sparta! Aren't you afraid of the wrath of Sparta?!"
The laughter did not stop.
Amyntas said excitedly, "Wrath? Are you talking about the war? That's great, I'm looking forward to the next victory! "
"Master Devers, let the First Platoon take the next battle. The soldiers are bored out of their wits!" Even Capus, who usually did not speak much during the meeting, joined in the fun. He was obviously angry at the unreasonable and overbearing people of Sparta.
"That's right, the First Platoon has been following you, Master Devers for a long time, but they have never participated in a victory before. The soldiers are unhappy about it," Antonio added.
Phoebidas was dumbfounded. His anger had been cleverly turned into a request for battle by the people of Diónia.
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