Chapter 186: Arrogance: The Symbol of Sparta
In general, the most stunning buildings of a Greek city-state are the temples, arenas, amphitheatres….but at this moment, Phidias and his entourage have not seen many large-scale buildings, and was instead been impressed by the careful and thoughtful design and the clean and tidy appearance of the city. Phidias has been to the famous city-states in the Mediterranean, although Athens is prosperous, it is noisy and dirty. Although Sparta is quiet, it must be noted that the whole city is as simple as a city-state in the countryside. Only Thurii have managed to blend together simplicity, freedom, elegance, quietness, and tidiness, with full charm.
Dorotheus then asked, “Who is the one who designed this city?”
“Heracleides, the disciple of Hippodamus!” Olivos, who was watching their astonishment, said it out loud.
“Oh, Hippodamus!” Exclaimed Dorotheus. The name is not unfamiliar to the Spartans, because he was the one who designed and built the port in Piraeus port, which has created a lot of wealth for Athens. At the beginning, the Spartans had also made great efforts to capture the port.
Further on, they saw a huge white arch across the street, which the Spartans had never seen in any other city-state.
Dorotheus asked with curiosity, “What is the use of this arch?”
The expression of Olivos suddenly became solemn, and said in a deep voice, “This is the Arc de Triomphe! Strategos and soldiers returning from victory will march through the gate to accept the homage and the cheering of the Archon, the Senate and the people of the whole Union. A triumphal victory return was held not long ago because we have captured Nerulum. Alas, it’s a pity that our first brigade can only wait for the next opportunity….”
Phidias did not see the regretful expression of Olivos as he and several Spartan soldiers that were behind him were looking up at the huge Arc de Triomphe. Besides feeling shocked, there is envy. As a warrior, it is their greatest wish to win the cheers of the people of their own city after defeating the enemy! And make them feel that their blood and sacrifices are sacred and meaningful! But in the Greek city-states where democracy prevails, this is almost impossible to happen, because the Democrats believe that this will give the strategoi too much prestige and lead to dictatorship. And even though Sparta is a militant city-state, the Ephors would never allow victory to be excessively promoted and let these young, bloodthirsty Spartans go out of control, Lysander is the best example. But now, there is a colonial city-state in the remote western Mediterranean outside of Greece who had actually done it, and will continue to do so, and made him feel conflicted. Phidias originally did not want to talk to the patrol captain, but now he asked, “How often do you do military training?”
“Why do you ask!” Olivos expression became serious. He thought for a moment and said, “However, it’s okay to tell you. During the busy farming season of our Union, we train every seven days. But now that it is the slack season, we train almost every two~three days, and we train almost the whole day!”
‘Such frequent military training has surpassed most Greek city-states. No wonder these soldiers seem to be well-trained. This is also a city-state that advocates military might!’ Phidias has a hunch that it will be difficult for him to achieve his purpose.
Passing through the wide and flat Νίκη(Victory) Square(after the Triumphant Return, the new square has finally had its own name. Since the main function of the square is to gather the troops before going for a campaign and to hold the Triumphant Return after a war, so they named it “Victory”), Phidias finally entered the Grand Senate Hall of Thurii.
This assembly hall is so large that it could accommodate thousands of people. Seeing Phidias coming in, all the statesmen stood up and gave an applause to welcome him, and saluted respectfully to show their respect to Sparta, which finally made Phidias feel happy.
A young man in the lead then said, “Welcome, the Spartan envoy from afar! What prompted you to come to our Theonia Union?”
Phidias thought that this must be the military genius and the archon of Theonia Union that was mentioned by Cheirisophus. And Phidias also started to think that the Triumphant Return was planned by him.
Phidias looked at him with sharp gaze and aggression.
And Davos did not evade his gaze, and he also looked back at him, as if to see through his purpose.
What Davos sees: The Spartan is dressed in a bright scarlet himation, with long hair not often seen in ordinary Greeks, and his rough face is not only scarred, but also has arrogance and looks at everything in contempt.
Davos, who has a deep understanding of this era, felt that the image of this envoy was the normal image of the Spartans when facing strangers, and only Cheirisophus was an exception.
The two people faced and stared coldly at each other, and the air suddenly became tense.
Kunogelata coughed twice, trying to break the mood that suddenly became tense.
Phidias then spoke and said bluntly, “I have come here on behalf of Sparta to denounce the Theonia Union!”
As soon as this statement was said, the statesmen went into an uproar.
“In order to protect the Greek city-states in Asia Minor and the interests of Greece as a whole, Spata had sent troops across the sea to Asia Minor to fight against the Persians. However, at such a critical time, some of our soldiers fled the battlefield in Asia Minor because of your temptation, which hindered the war against the Persians. Even Thimbron, the harmost of Asia Minor, was exiled by the Gerousia! Therefore, the Gerousia has sent me to denounce you for this treacherous act!”
Is it really grave?! The statesmen looked at each other and were slightly nervous.
“I don’t understand.” Kunogelata asked suspiciously, “You said that we tempted your soldiers, but Theonia Union is thousands of miles away from Asia Minor, and we seldom interact with you Sparta. So, how could we tempt your soldiers to flee?”
“That’s right! As a newly established Union, not only do we have no contact with Sparta, we don’t even know where Asia Minor is!” Said Plesinas, exaggeratingly.
As if Phidias didn’t hear it, and just looked at Davos and sneered, “Those soldiers are mercenaries who have participated in the Persian expedition! And your archon had fought in Persia for more than a year and some of you, have deep friendship with them. Our officers in Asia Minor have witnessed with their own eyes the frequent entry of strangers into these mercenary camps….”
Agasias then saw Antonios and Kapus, who was quietly casting an inquiring gaze at him, so he shook his head gently.
“Are you sure these strangers are our Union’s citizens?” Asked Antonios.
“What I am sure is that these deserters are on their way to Magna Graecia!” Said Phidias decisively, “Therefore, the Spartan Gerousia has decided that ‘Theonia Union must hand over all the mercenaries who have escaped here, and -’” He raised his voice, “As punishment to Theonia Union for hindering the war of Sparta against Persia, we demand for your archon to lead 5,000 soldiers to Asia Minor and join Sparta in our battle against the Persians!”
“What?!!” The statesmen were shocked and clamored, “We, Theonia Union, have no diplomatic relations with Spara, so why do you Spartans dare order us?!!”
“As Greeks, you have hindered the holy war of Sparta against Persia on behalf of the Greeks! And also because Sparta is the leader of all Greece!!” Said Phidias haughtily.
Davos laughed.
Hearing the scorn in his laugher, the agitated statesmen suddenly calmed down.
Mersis asked him quippingly, “Lord Davos, what are you laughing at?”
“I am laughing at the shamelessness of the Spartans!” Davos cast a contemptuous glance at Phidias, “Didn’t Sparta defeat Athens by colluding with Persia, who has always been the enemy of the Greeks, and killing your fellow Greeks?!! So, why is Sparta now fighting against Persia, who was once their ally?”
“Why?” Mersis quickly spoke.
“I heard that Sparta had signed an agreement with Persia before in order for Persia to support them to defeat Athens, agreeing to give up protecting the city-states in Asia Minor and give the jurisdiction to the Persian. After winning the war, Sparta reneged, so the war between Sparta and Persia happened….” Davos looked at the somewhat unnatural expression of Phidias and said discourteously, “Such a city-state that betrays the interests of the Greek city-state and repeatedly breaks its promise says that their war with Persia is a holy war on behalf of all Greece! Do you think that it is not funny?!”
“Yes, it is indeed ridiculous! It is a shame for us Greeks to have such a shameless city-state!” The statesmen, led by Antonios and Amintas, deliberately laughed loudly.
Phidia’s face turned red and shouted, “YOU DARE INSULT SPARTA? ARE YOU NOT AFRAID OF THE WRATH OF SPARTA?!”
The laughter still continued.
Amintas then said excitedly, “Wrath? Are you talking about war? That’s great, I can’t wait for the next Triumphant Return!”
“Lord Davos, you should let us the first brigade take on the next battle. The soldiers couldn’t wait any longer!” Even Kapus, who had always been quiet at meetings, came to join the fun. Obviously, he was infuriated by the unreasonable tyranny of the Spartans.
“That’s right, the first brigade has always been following you, Lord Davos, since before, and yet, they still have not participated in the Triumphant Return and so, the soldiers are already having some thoughts.” Antonios also added.
Phidias was dumbfounded, and his anger had been skillfully changed into a battle assignment by these Theonians.
“Is the Theonia Union prepared to go to war against Sparta?” Phidias shouted angrily.