Chapter 390
In fact, there were some cultural ties between Diónia and Locri. When the city of Turií was first built, Protagoras, the wise man of Athens, made laws for it. He did not casually adopt the laws of Athens. Instead, he chose to make the laws of Turií based on the laws of Locri made by the famous lawmaker of Locri, Zalaikus, because Turií was a city-state with many immigrants and complicated origins. The Diónia Union was built on the ruins of the former city of Turií and drew on the essence of the former laws of Turií.
Known for his harsh laws, Zalaekus had decreed that anyone who wanted to change any of the existing laws had to first put a noose around his neck, and if his proposal was not passed, he would be strangled to death. Zalaekus had been impartial throughout his life when enforcing the law. When his son broke the law, according to the law, his eyes should be gouged out. He did not hesitate to carry out the sentence. However, out of affection for his son, he gouged out one of his eyes on behalf of his son.
With such a person as an example and such laws to govern the people of Locri, the people of Locri were different from the enthusiasm and exuberance of the citizens of other Greek city-states. The people of Locri were known for their obedience to the rules of Great Greece (of course, later on, the people of Diónia were added). At the same time, they knew how to obey orders, so they were able to resist the Crotone who were stronger than them.
Perhaps it was precisely because of the strictness of the law that the city of Rockley chose to protect its gods, unlike other cities, which mostly chose powerful gods like Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, and Athena. Instead, it chose two gentle goddesses — Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, and Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld, the Goddess of Fertility. The city even built grand temples for these two goddesses. Therefore, when Diónia held a celebration of Hades on the 9th of September every year, a small number of people from Locri would also rush to attend. Not only because of the unique ceremony and lively scene of Turií, but also because the people of Diónia would also celebrate their queen, Persephone, while offering sacrifices to Hades.
At the same time, because the guardian deities of the city-state were the two goddesses, the women of Rockley had a higher social status than those of other city-states. They were allowed to wear veils in public and had the right to inherit property. This was somewhat similar to Diónia.
However, the two Greek forces with similar cultures and customs were regrettably enemies.
Before Fraukeleon arrived in Locri, the council of Locri had already learned of the assassination of the Consul of Diónia. Although Turií had sealed off the whole city soon after the incident, Diónia was the overlord of Southern Italy. Not only Locri, but other city-states of the Southern Alliance and Tarantum had more or less sent spies or eyes to be stationed or hidden in the city and port of Turií. They were always aware of the movements of Diónia so that the city-states could respond in time. Therefore, when such a big disturbance occurred, it was naturally observed by those who were observant. After quickly ascertaining the situation, they all rushed to their city-states by boat or on horseback.
Fraukeleon set off the next day, but he was lagging behind. His boat entered the port of Locri. The public officials of the port quickly sent the news to the council in the city. The councilors of Locri were surprised as to why the envoy of Diónia would appear here at this time.
Among the generals and councilors of Locri, only a few knew the real inside story of the assassination. For example, General Demodorcas, the brother of Dionysius's wife, Doris of Locri. He thought that Diónia was going to protest to Syracuse again, but he did not expect the envoy of Diónia to appear here.
Although surprised, Fraukeleon was invited into the council out of courtesy and respect for Diónia, the overlord of Southern Italy.
In Locri, like other democratic city-states, the Citizens' Assembly was the highest authority. Other than discussing and deciding important matters of the city-state, the ordinary political affairs were handled by the General Executive Committee and the council.
The council was simply a smaller version of the Citizens' Assembly. It divided all the citizens who participated in the Citizens' Assembly into many groups, usually ten groups. They took turns to participate in the political affairs of the city-state through the council. Therefore, there were eight generals and hundreds of council members in the council. This was already quite a large force, several times more than the number of people in the Senate of Diónia.
Fraukeleon made some preparations and walked to the center of the hall after being invited by the president of the council.
"Councilors of Locri, I, Fraukeleon, am here as the envoy of the Union of Diónia. I am here to question Locri on behalf of all the citizens of Diónia!" Fraukeleon stated the purpose of his visit directly.
As soon as his voice fell, it caused a commotion among the councilors around him. He did not stop talking. Instead, he raised his voice, "I think you all know that the great Consul of Diónia, the beloved commander of the citizens, has been assassinated. It has aroused the anger of all the citizens of Diónia! Now, one of the assassins has been caught on the spot. After interrogation, he revealed the truth. He admitted that he was hired and helped by a Locri merchant named Aurolas to infiltrate Turií and assassinate the Consul Devers — "
"This is slander! This is a frame-up! " The chief general of Locri, Demodorcas, immediately interrupted Fraukeleon's words and retorted loudly, "Locri would not provoke Diónia for no reason! The people of Locri are not that stupid! … "
"But the truth is the truth! After a detailed investigation by Turií, all the evidence is irrefutable! The Dionysian Senate has confirmed again and again that the mastermind behind this assassination is none other than you, Rockley! "Fraukerion shouted angrily as he pointed at the crowd in a righteous manner.
The councilors were instantly in an uproar, "Are the people in the Senate of Diónia fools? What does this have to do with Locri? Why don't you go and question Syracuse! "
"This is obviously a common trick of His Excellency. He has assassinated his political opponents in other cities in Sicily many times!"
"What irrefutable evidence? This must all be fake! Diónia only dares to blame Locri because you don't have the guts to provoke Syracuse. Even if the merchant named Au … Aurolas is from Locri, he may have been bribed by other cities. Has Diónia interrogated him? How could you so easily conclude that it was Locri who ordered this?! "
…
Fraukeleon ignored their arguments and abuse and continued, "Therefore, the Senate of Diónia and all the citizens are extremely angry at Locri's despicable behavior and demand that you accept punishment. First, repent your mistakes to Hades and send an envoy to Turií to publicly apologize to the Senate. Second, compensate the people of Diónia who were injured and killed in this incident. Lastly — "
Fraukeleon faced the angry crowd without fear and his voice was firm and loud, "Break the alliance with Syracuse! If so, Diónia will forgive Locri for what he did and accept you — "
Before Fraukeleon could finish his words, he was drowned by angry roars, "Locri did nothing wrong. Why should he accept the unreasonable demands of Diónia?"
"This is a humiliation! A humiliation to Locri! "
"This is a conspiracy of Diónia! They want to break up the alliance between Locri and Syracuse! "
…
Not only were the members of the council cursing, but a few of them even ignored the dissuasion of others and rushed to the center of the hall.
The one who ran at the front was one of the generals, Diopantos. The hot-tempered general rushed forward and punched Fraukeleon, knocking him to the ground.
Just as he was about to kick him again, another general, Metlofenis, hugged him and shouted anxiously, "Do not violate the sacred tradition of 'the envoy of the city shall not be violated'. Do not violate the law of Locri!"
Upon hearing the word 'law', the people of Locri who had just rushed forward to surround Fraukeleon froze.
Metlofenis took the opportunity to shout, "Lord Demodocas, if you don't stop them, they will be severely punished for violating the law!"
Demodocas, who had been watching from the side, was called out by Metlofenis. As the chief general, he had to stand up and defend himself, "Humiliating Locri means you are Locri's enemy. We are all protecting the honor of the city. How can this be considered breaking the law?"
"Lord, you are right!" Someone immediately agreed.
"Alright, everyone, please leave. The meeting hall is a sacred place. We, Rockley, are a civilized city-state, not Tuliyi. We can't do anything to humiliate the messenger … "Demodocas said as he walked forward. The council members obediently returned to their seats.
Demodocas had been the chief general of Locri for nine consecutive years, mainly because of his in-law, Dionysius. Originally, Locri had allied with Syracuse in order to use Syracuse's power to defeat their long-time enemy, Crotone. However, they did not expect that after Crotone was weakened, a stronger Diónia Alliance would emerge. Especially after the establishment of the Southern Alliance, Locri became even more isolated in Greece. Hence, they had to rely on Syracuse even more. This allowed the Demodocas Family to stand out even more. In addition to Dionysius's intention to support his brother-in-law, Demodocas's influence in Locri was no longer the same as before.
Diopentos snorted unwillingly and retreated.
Fraukeleon stood up shakily, but he still refused to admit defeat, "The old city of Turís was burned down because it humiliated the envoy …"
"People of Diónia, you have to look at the place if you want to show off. This is not the so-called Southern Alliance that is trying to curry favor with Diónia. This is Locri!" Demodocas sneered and said loudly and proudly, "Rockley did not and will not stoop so low as to assassinate your Archon. Therefore, we reject any of Dionia's unreasonable requests. Please get lost!"
Comments