Chapter 376
After the carriage passed through the checkpoint, it drove directly north, passing through the east side of the port market. The shops on both sides and the crowded crowd did not attract the attention of Aesocrates and Lysias. After understanding the bustle of the port of Turi, they also had a preliminary estimate of the market situation. But no matter how prosperous it was, how could it compare to the famous Agora Market in Athens, which was famous throughout the Mediterranean Sea?
It was the direction of the carriage that attracted Lysias' attention, "Hey, Turín is in the west, you are going north."
"Don't worry." Sperian explained, "Because if the carriage goes directly west, not only will it pass through the more crowded and longer market, but there is also the Temple of Hera and the Turín Arena not far from it. (With the growing popularity of rugby and football, the arena in Turín is no longer enough. The year before last, the citizens of Turín collectively raised funds to build another arena outside the city. Because the arena in the city is the venue for the finals of the teams of Diónia, it is named the Grand Arena of Diónia, while the one outside the city is called the Turín Arena). It is now May, the most intense time of rugby. Because the new Turín champion is about to be selected to participate in the finals, many people go to watch every day. The roads will not only become crowded, but there may also be trouble. We would rather take the long way to the city of Turín, it will be much faster than going directly west. "
"I see." Lysias nodded. He had long heard about the popularity of a unique ball game in Dionia. However, he had experienced many ups and downs in his life, and he had been busy making a living. In addition, he was already old, so he was not too interested in this supposedly violent sport.
But Aesocrates' eyes lit up and said, "Can you tell us about this rugby game in Diónia?"
Lysias looked at Aesocrates in surprise, feeling that this was not in line with Aesocrates' hobby, so there must be a deeper meaning.
His words tickled Sperian's itch. He immediately talked about the origin and rules of rugby to the establishment of the Diónia Rugby Championship.
Isocrates listened to Sperian's account of the history of rugby in Diónia, as he watched the wagons turn into a new thoroughfare (the Via Tua), and then turn westward, which, except for the narrowness of the surface, had little difference in facilities from the Via Porto.
In the short time since the passenger ship docked at the dock of Turií and walked out of the port, he had discovered a characteristic of the people of Diónia. At worst, it is stuffy and stuffy; at best, it is orderly. The port was the most chaotic place in a city-state. The port of Tulij was considered to be relatively prosperous. Surprisingly, there were very few noises, fights, and brawls. There were also very few scenes of loud talking and noise. This was impossible for the Athenians because they were always passionate, unrestrained, and proud. They liked to debate and boast about the history of the city.
And listening to the porter, he realized that the people of Diónia liked this kind of wild and rough sport, which made him realize that there may be some kind of tyranny hidden in the seemingly introverted character of the people of Diónia.
"This is our first time in Turií. Is there any interesting place here that is worth visiting?" He suddenly interrupted.
Lysias looked at him again.
"Worth visiting?" Sperian was stunned for a moment, and then laughed, "My two guests, you should not say that you are here for sightseeing in Turií, but to enjoy the entertainment. There are too many things for you to play here.
First of all, you must go to Cristoia's restaurant! It has the best food in all of Greece, and even the whole Mediterranean.
Secondly, there is a big hot spring by the river Tiro in the west of the city. Take a good bath, so that you Greeks who don't like to bathe can feel the benefits of bathing.
And as I said just now, go to the Turií stadium to watch football and football games, but it is hard to say whether you can still buy tickets in this season.
Also, you can go to the Turií hospital to find out the hidden diseases in your body. You should know that the medical skills of the Turií doctors are very high because they are taught by the god of the underworld.
Oh, yes, I almost forgot, you must go to the Temple of Hades in the city to pray! That is the only residence of the king of the underworld Hades in the whole of Greece, and it is very magical! Every time I go there to worship and talk with the priest, I feel very relaxed when I come back, as if I have soaked in a hot spring bath … "
Isocrates and Lysias listened to Sperian's endless introduction of Turií, and from time to time they exchanged glances.
At this time, the truck had arrived near the north gate of Turií, and in front of it stood a tall arch made of white marble.
Lysias recalled some information about New Turií that he had heard, and said uncertainly, "Triumphal Arch?"
"Yes, the Triumphal Arch! The second Triumphal Arch! "Sperian said excitedly," This is the Triumphal Arch that was built the year before last. The victorious army will use this as the starting point to enter the city of Turií, and receive the cheers and inspection of the citizens of Diónia. That is the greatest glory in the life of every citizen who participated in the war! I participated once, and that was after the conquest of Bruti. As a temporary light infantry (the two thousand freedmen), we also sent some outstanding people to follow the army into the city … Oh! All the people of Diónia cheered for us, beautiful girls kept throwing flowers to us, and our respected governor made a stirring speech. I will never forget that scene for the rest of my life! … And it was after this triumphant parade that I got to know my beautiful wife! … "
Sperian looked intoxicated. After a while, he sighed, "It's a pity that it's been too quiet these few years. There's no war, and of course, there's no triumph, sigh …"
"Listening to what you said, you actually hope for a war?!" The sharp Isocrates immediately asked.
"Of course, if there's no war, we can't participate in it. If we can't participate in the war, I can't shorten my inspection period and become an official citizen of Diónia as soon as possible, so I can't get a fertile land, "Sperian blurted out without hesitation, and then he saw the strange expression of the two people, and immediately explained," But we Diónia people rarely take the initiative to invade others, it's always others who take the initiative to invade us that will lead to our counterattack … "
Obviously, Isocrates did not believe this porter's words.
"But a war will lead to death, and among them, there may be your friends … or relatives …" Lysias said in a warning tone.
"Of course I know, the priests of Hades once warned us, 'Nothing good is ever easy to obtain.' We are not afraid of death, because this is the land blessed by Hades. If I die bravely in battle, my wife and children will receive generous compensation and care from the Alliance, and my soul will also return to the Hall of Valhalla of Hades, to protect our Alliance! " Sperian's face had some calmness, some determination, and even a trace of longing, but there was no fear.
This gave a great shock to Isocrates and Lysias.
"Triumphal Arch, I'm coming!" Sperian drove to the front of the Triumphal Arch and shouted excitedly, as if he was returning victorious.
Isocrates frowned and looked up at the many reliefs on the arch, as well as the statue of the legion's flag on top, and Sperian's voice sounded in his ears, "That sculpture is the scene of Sir Devers leading the legion to help Tarantum defeat the Maypu Alliance … That is the scene of Legio III defeating the Lucanian rebels and recapturing Picossis (According to the propaganda of the Senate, the people believed that Picossis was once a Greek city, so it was' recaptured ', not attacked) … There is also the scene of Sir Devers leading the army to conquer the Bruti War, which I participated in. There is also a funny story about this relief. According to others, the Bruti senators in the Senate had objected to the original Bruti War being made into reliefs, thinking that it was not conducive to unity. But the Lucanian senators retorted, 'We Lucanians have already been carved three times, and they didn't say anything. Why are you Bruti people so anxious? 'Haha, just like that, the matter of the Bruti people's protest was left unsettled … "
Listening to Sperian's laughter and looking at the Triumphal Arch, Isocrates could not laugh at all.
… …
"Lysias, since you received your brother's letter and rushed to Athens, we haven't seen each other for nearly 20 years, right?" Cunogorata looked at Lysias, who was so old that he was almost unrecognizable, and said with emotion.
"Yes, that year my father passed away, I rushed back to Athens to attend the funeral, and my brother's business was in trouble, so I had to stay to help him. Then … Athens suffered a series of crushing defeats in the war against Sparta, and 30 tyrants came to power. My brother was persecuted, and his property was taken away … Too many things have happened in these years, so much so that when my teacher passed away, I couldn't rush back to attend his funeral … "Lysias' seemingly calm face could not conceal the regret and confusion contained in his low voice, as well as some tiredness.
"We all know about what happened to you. At that time, Turií was also in trouble, so we couldn't help you. It's just that my teacher kept muttering your name before he died, because you were his proudest disciple! " As Cunogorata spoke, he saw tears glistening in Lysias' eyes, so he changed the topic and jokingly said, "Did you make a fortune in Athens recently, giving away four or five of these precious black painted amphorae from Athens?"
Comments