Chapter 703
When the power once again fell into the hands of the democrats in Syracuse, Teagenis, Falcus, Stesicus and the others, having learned their lesson, did not create a strange government with twenty-five generals like before. Instead, they restored Syracuse's traditional democratic government with ten generals, a council of a hundred, and a citizens' assembly. They also continued some of the policies and laws implemented during the reign of Harolis. At the same time, they continued to pay reparations to Diónia.
In the years after the defeat of Diónia, the political situation in Syracuse had been in turmoil. It not only exhausted the energy and enthusiasm of the people, but also made some elites disappointed with the future of Syracuse. Ferosanus, for example, accepted the invitation of the Diónia Academy to teach in Turií. At the same time, he wrote letters to the king of the Devers several times, asking him to reduce the reparations demanded from Syracuse.
It was not until the eleventh year of the Kingdom of Diónia that the Devers generously wrote off the reparations.
The political situation in Syracuse had once again stabilized and began to gradually recover its vitality. However, during the previous turmoil, Syracuse's agriculture and trade were hit hard. Many free people and merchants fled and chose the booming Catanai.
When the people of Syracuse opened their eyes and looked out, they were shocked to find that the power of Syracuse, which once dominated Sicily and shook the western Mediterranean, was now weaker than the former enemy of the Kingdom of Diónia, Catanai. The former allies around Syracuse, such as Carmandalina, Gela, Agligento, and many others, had long since severed their ties with Syracuse. Instead, they went to curry favor with Diónia.
The people of Syracuse cherished the glory of the past, but they also hated the culprit who caused all of it — Diónia. Most of the taxes collected by Syracuse were used to pay reparations. So a strange phenomenon arose in Sicily. While all the Greek city-states of Sicily were on friendly terms with the kingdom of Diónia, Syracuse, from top to bottom, was alienating this powerful neighbor. They refused every invitation from Diónia to celebrate, but had many disputes and conflicts with Leontini and Taunis, the allies of Diónia, over the frontier lands.
Carthage had witnessed Syracuse's performance. Therefore, this time, Carthage sent an emissary with the mission of "getting Syracuse to join the alliance against the Kingdom of Diónia".
… …
In Syracuse's city hall, the ten Syracuse generals all had solemn expressions after Envoy Carthage walked out of the meeting room.
"I don't understand. Diónia and Carthage have been maintaining friendly relations for more than ten years. Why is there a war all of a sudden?!" General Hictas from the port area asked in confusion. Compared to the people of Syracuse in other areas, the civilians of the port area still had a good impression of Diónia. This was because the civilians of the port area finally organized themselves with the help of Diónia and rebelled against Dionysius' tyranny. Thus, they became a force that could not be ignored in the political arena of Syracuse.
"Don't you understand? The reason why Carthage and Diónia could maintain friendly relations for more than ten years was that they needed time to recover their strength. In fact, not only Sicily, the entire Western Mediterranean can't accommodate two powerful countries. They will inevitably go to war because of the conflict of interests. In the past, it was Carthage and Syracuse. Now, it's just Diónia … "Palonissus's voice was low as if he was recalling the past of Syracuse. As an official who once served Dionysius, he did not participate in the war to suppress the rebels due to the opposition of his sailors after the riot. Therefore, he escaped punishment later. In the war to overthrow the murderer Andmarkus, he fought bravely and made great contributions. He was recognized by the people and was elected as a general several times.
"If a war breaks out between Diónia and Carthage, it will be a great opportunity for Syracuse! Ever since Diónia occupied the cities of Catanai, Naxos, and Siculi in Sicily, they have greatly influenced Syracuse. The free citizens prefer to live in Catanai and Naxos, the merchant ships prefer to trade in Catanai, and the other cities in Sicily are more willing to interact with them. If this continues, when will Syracuse ever regain its former glory? "Chief General Teagenis was obviously in favor of cooperating with Carthage to fight against Diónia.
"But, can Carthage defeat Diónia?" Kucias was worried. More than ten years ago, he had experienced the war that decided the hegemony of Greece in the Western Mediterranean. He had seen and heard that a legion of Diónia landed in Sicily and defeated an army of tens of thousands led by Masias.
"Yes, the army of Diónia is too powerful! Two years ago, they easily defeated the Sikells and occupied many of their towns. Now, the Sikells are circling around the Diónia like dogs, "Falekus continued. As a comrade who had fought alongside the Dionysian Army and overthrown Dionysius's rule, he knew very well the strength of Diónia and did not support going against Diónia. "Our strength in Syracuse is no longer what it used to be. We are surrounded by the cities of Diónia and their allies. Once we declare war on Diónia, their army will immediately attack us. The people of Diónia are probably hoping that we will break the agreement so that they can conquer Syracuse and unify the eastern part of Sicily! "
The meeting room fell silent. As time passed, the generals knew that the reason why Syracuse was able to exist independently was because of the agreement between Carthage, Sparta, and Diónia.
At this moment, Stesikos said in a low voice, "Everyone, if we don't provoke Diónia, will Diónia let Syracuse go? If Carthage is defeated, will Syracuse still be able to maintain its independence?! No! We will be like Katarnais, Crotone, and Locry. We will be forced to assimilate into the Kingdom of Diónia and become an ordinary city. We will lose our long history and glory that we are proud of! Therefore, I believe that helping Carthage is also helping ourselves! "
Stesikos' words moved the other generals.
"Everyone, you have only seen the strength of Diónia, but Carthage is also very strong. Over the years, the people of Carthage have conquered Numibia in the interior of Afrika, and also conquered the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Their land is even wider than the Kingdom of Diónia. More than ten years ago, when Carthage was fighting with us, he was able to organize an army of 100,000 people. Now, he can easily do that! "
Teagenis waved his arms excitedly, trying to convince the other generals. "Also, don't forget about Carthage's ally, Rome, who is about to go to war with Dionia. It is also very powerful and is the overlord of central Italy. It has strong heavy infantry and will not be easy to deal with. When Carthage and Rome join hands, it is already difficult for Diónia to resist. Moreover, according to the voice of the messenger of Carthage, they have other helpers … Diónia has fallen into the encirclement of Carthage. What are we waiting for if we don't join them now! "
The people of Syracuse had close military and trade contacts with the west coast of Italy for decades, especially with the Campanian Alliance. Although the Campanian Alliance had recently sided with Diónia, the people of Syracuse did not reduce their attention there, so they knew the situation in Rome better.
"More than ten years ago, Dionysius also put Diónia in a tight encirclement. What happened in the end? We all know it very well, "Hictas said lightly.
"But this time is different!" Teagenis glared at him and wanted to continue persuading.
Hictas said coldly, "It is indeed different this time. Compared to more than ten years ago, Diónia's territory has increased several times, and so has its strength."
Teagenis was speechless, and did not know what to say for a moment.
At this time, Falcus said in a low voice, "I think we should do this. Let's not agree to Carthage's people first. This way, we won't blindly put Syracuse in danger. If Carthage really does declare war on Diónia and has a great advantage, then it is not too late for us to join them. "
"I agree." Kucias immediately expressed his approval: "This is the prudent approach!"
Soon, the other generals agreed one after another, including Staxicos.
In the end, Teagenis nodded helplessly, but he was very angry in his heart. He could be said to be the most powerless chief general in Syracuse for many years. The other generals either participated in the rebellion against Dionysius, and had a deep friendship and many supporters, or were representatives of some special groups of people. After he escaped from Syracuse, his roots in the city had long been swept away, and because he first provoked a rebellion against Harolis, after Harolis successfully returned, he was once again suppressed, and the people who supported him that he had painstakingly gathered, once again left him.
The reason why Teagenis, who did not have the support of a powerful force, could be the chief general for two consecutive years was because the citizens of Syracuse needed a person like him, who was not powerful but had a reputation, to balance a group of powerful former friends of Harolis and avoid a dictatorship.
However, the stubborn and strong-willed Teagenis always believed that he was the one who could help Syracuse regain its former glory.
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