Chapter 628
Crotocatax thought for a while and couldn't help but straighten his chest, as if he was proud of his mission. But then he asked, "But many cases are very complicated. How can I ensure that my final judgment is as fair and just as possible?"
The Devers was satisfied with his son's diligence in learning and asking more questions. He quickly answered, "Then you have to learn more, think more, experience more, and listen more. Only then can you become a wise and firm adjudicator."
Crotocatax's heart was moved and he seemed to be deep in thought.
The Devers was very talkative at the moment. He then asked, "I can see that you have a lot of admiration for Lysias."
"Yes, Father." Crotocatax said happily, "Teacher Lysias has a rich knowledge and a wise mind. Not only does he have deep attainments in rhetoric and debate, but his teaching is also lively and interesting. It's very attractive."
"Lysias is a well-known scholar in all of Greece and the pride of the Kingdom of Diónia," the Devers said calmly, then changed the topic, "What do you think of Cunogorata?"
"Lord Cunogorata is your best helper, Father. Everyone says that 'the Senate can't do without him.' His departure is a great loss to our Kingdom!" Crotocatax said with a heavy expression.
"Then, if you stand from the perspective of governing the Kingdom, do you prefer Cunogorata or Lysias?"
The Devers' question stumped Crotocatax again. He pondered for a moment but still didn't answer.
"Son, you didn't answer this question according to your preference. It means that you have begun to realize it!" The Devers nodded gratifyingly and said, "Cunogorata doesn't have Lysias' profound knowledge, nor does he have Lysias' reputation in all of Greece. But he has been governing Diónia diligently for more than ten years and has made great contributions to the prosperity of the Kingdom! In Diónia, there are many more ordinary public officials like Cunogorata. They quietly contribute to the strength of the Kingdom. It is because of them that the Kingdom of Diónia can create a platform for famous Greek scholars like Lysias to display their talents. They can create a more splendid culture for the Kingdom, attract the backward barbarians to join them, and make the lives of the people better! … "
Crotocatax thought for a moment, then looked at his father and said seriously, "I understand. Lord Cunogorata and Teacher Lysias are equally important. But citizens like Lord Cunogorata are the cornerstone of the Kingdom. Without them, there wouldn't be a Kingdom of Diónia!"
"Cornerstone!" The Devers praised, "It's a very vivid metaphor. It seems that you have understood it. When you attend the funeral, you must have such a mentality! "
"Speaking of debate, this is a good thing." The Devers advised again, "It can train your thinking, understand the truth, and persuade the other party. But don't indulge in it too much. In the end, you will become a person who only knows how to argue for the sake of arguing. But remember that a practical action is worth a thousand words! "
"Yes, Father." Crotocatax replied respectfully again.
"You two father and son are just chatting. You must be thirsty." Cristoya and Cynthia had washed a basket of grapes and apples and placed it on the stone table. "Come and eat some fruit!"
"Let's go. Don't let your mother wait too long, or she will be scolded." The Devers joked.
Crotocatax smiled.
… …
At the end of the Corinth War, Sparta tried its best to surrender to Persia and obtained the support of Persia. At the end of the war, Sparta and the Anti- Sparta Alliance signed the "Great King's Agreement", forcing its two most important enemies, Agos and Thebes, to break up their respective regional alliances. At the same time, Athens was allowed to retain the sovereignty of the northern islands of the Aegean Sea. The three important Greek states were either unable or unwilling to go against Sparta, allowing Sparta to become the overlord of the Greek mainland.
Of course, this method of relying on Persia to regain the throne was not convincing to the other city-states. The people of many city-states were spreading a saying: "Persia is turning Sparta into Persia's Sparta."
Of course, the people of Sparta also heard these rumors, even though Agesilaus forcefully denied it, declaring: "Sparta is working hard to turn Persia into Sparta's Persia."
However, Sparta's prestige among the Greek city-states had declined significantly, even among its allies.
In order to restore its image as the overlord, Sparta had to take action. It targeted the city-state of Mandinia in the central Arcadia Region of the Peloponnesus Peninsula, accusing the former allied city-state of not obeying and being loyal to Sparta in all aspects. Therefore, it was forced to tear down its city walls and pledge allegiance to Sparta.
After being rejected by the people of Mandinia, Agesipolis, the king of Sparta, led his army to invade Mandinia. After failing to attack the city, he ordered his warriors to block the upper reaches of a river that flowed through the city of Mandinia. In the end, Mandinia was flooded and the city was completely destroyed.
This atrocity shocked many of the city-states in Greece. The horrible and bloody memories of the people of Sparta resurfaced in their minds, especially since the city-states on the Peloponnesus Peninsula no longer took the initiative to challenge the authority of Sparta.
However, becoming the overlord of the Peloponnesus Peninsula was not enough to satisfy the desires of the people of Sparta. There had always been a huge shadow in the hearts of the king and elders of Sparta, and that was the Kingdom of Diónia. Although Diónia and Sparta were now allies, both sides knew very well that this alliance was not based on long-term friendship, but the need for short-term interests. Moreover, the Kingdom of Diónia was still growing, which urged the people of Sparta to unite more forces in Greece in order to fight against this powerful kingdom that was rising in the western Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, they set their sights on the northern part of the Peloponnesus Peninsula.
At this time, a group of emissaries arrived in the territory of Sparta. This group of emissaries came from the Wild Mountains in the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea.
Macedonia was a weak and backward country located at the northern border of Greece, far away from the core area of Greek culture. Whether it was ordinary Greeks or well-known scholars, they all thought it was a country of barbarians and despised them. However, the people of Macedonia admired Greece so much. Not only had their kings always claimed to be descendants of the royal family of Argos (In the ancient times, many Greek city-states united and chose the Argos as their leader because of the glorious past of Argos. Since the return of the descendants of Hercules, almost all the important Greek kings came from Argos, such as King Agamemnon of Mycenae. This was also the reason why the people of Argos often boasted that they were nobler than the people of Sparta), and the people of Macedonia often regarded the Greeks who came to settle in their territory as distinguished guests.
However, the respect that the people of Macedonia had for Greece was not taken seriously by the Greek states. Although it had a large territory and a large population, it was surrounded by the Illyrians, Dadarians, and Thracians. In the northernmost part, there were also the wandering Celts. These races were not only fierce, but also numerous. Years of invasion and harassment made the people of Macedonia tired of dealing with them. The country was also in a long period of war, unable to develop well.
In the ninth year of the Kingdom of Diónia (384 BC), someone in the royal family of Macedonia colluded with the Illyrians and launched a larger invasion, driving the king of Macedonia, Amyntas, out of Macedonia. Before the king fled Macedonia, in order to protect the towns of Macedonia from being plundered and to gain the support of the Greeks, he signed an agreement with Macedonia's neighbor in the southeast, the Calgedic League. The Calgedic League handed over the low-lying areas and coastal towns of Macedonia to the Calgedic League.
The Calgedic League was originally an alliance formed by some Greek city-states in the Calgedic Half Island. The rules of the league stated that all members were equal, trading with each other, helping each other, and defending against foreign enemies. However, with the participation of some of the towns of Macedonia, the strength of the Calgedic League was strengthened, and the powerful state in the center of the Calgedic Half Island, Olympus, benefited greatly.
The people of Olympus began to look forward to the establishment of a larger alliance that included the entire Calgedic Half Island and its surrounding areas. Of course, this alliance must be led by Olympus.
One year later (the tenth year of the Kingdom of Diónia), the king of Macedonia, Amyntas, regained his throne with the help of Thessaly and the Calgedic League. After Amyntas's throne was stabilized, he wanted to take back the land that was previously given to him. This was rejected by the city-states of the Calgedic League, led by Olympus.
At this time, the people of Thessaly also helped Amyntas appeal to the people of Targedic League. Although the two countries of Thessaly and Macedonia had border conflicts from time to time, the people of Thessaly knew that if their neighbor, Macedonia, became too weak and could not resist the fierce Illyrians, it would be disadvantageous to both Thessaly and the Calgedic League.
The persuasion of the people of Thessaly caused some of the city-states in the Calgedic League to waver, especially two of them, Akantus and Apollonia. They were worried that Olympus's power would increase rapidly in the long run, and he would dominate the entire Calgedic League. So, they secretly sent people to Amyntas to ask for help from Sparta.
So, the Macedonian emissaries came to Sparta.
In response, the Council of Elders of Sparta held a meeting to discuss this.
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