Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

“Sicily controlled by Dionysius is slightly smaller than Diaonia, but half of Diaonia is mountainous and cannot grow cereals and other crops, while Sicily is a famous wheat producing area in the Mediterranean. According to last year, Thira In terms of the volume of wheat in Kuzza, Sicily's wheat production may be twice that of us.

Moreover, the port of Syracuse is prosperous. Compared to our city of Turui, it almost monopolizes the maritime trade between the Greeks and Afrika. Even if it is now fighting with Carthage, it can still be seen in the port of Syracuse. To a lot of Phoenician businessmen. Although I can't know exactly how much Syracuse's monthly business tax revenue is, the port capacity and the number of merchant ships are much stronger than Turui. This is not the city-state established 300 years ago by Agrigento, Kataney, Naxos, and Messina. Its port trade is prosperous! ......"

Listening to the words of Aristilas, Daves nodded involuntarily and said: "The war mobilization ability does not need to be said. Since Dionysius is a lord, its greatest advantage is to maximize the concentration of hands. All the resources controlled by the people, including the people, can suddenly start a war without the approval of the council. I remember the last time you heard that Dionysius’s war against Carthage on the north coast of Sicily About 100,000 people have been dispatched?!"

"Yes, adults. It should be exactly 80,000 infantry and 20,000 navies."

"Last time... How many people did he attack the western part of Sicily?" Davers asked again.

"It is said that it is also 100,000 people."

Davers sighed: "Yes, Syracuse has launched a large-scale war of 100,000 people. The key is that he can support such a large number of troops for more than half a year from the mother-in-law. The battle... The war potential of Syracuse is really amazing!" Daves sighed anomaly.

"Adults, although Syracuse is strong, there is no weakness." Aristilas sees some frustration in the tone of Davers, and then volunteers to say: "Dionisius carried out the people of Syracuse. Cruel rule to prevent the public from rising against him, he also forced the people to pay heavy taxes, and the citizens of Syracuse pay 20% of their income to the state treasury every year, and the people hate him very much. Moreover, other city-state citizens in Sicily also hate him. Because they not only pay high tribute to Syracuse, but in the war of conquest in Siracusa, they had relatives killed by the Syracuse in the battle, and their loved ones captured and acted as slaves. Sold to distant places... They have hatred against Syracuse and Dionysius!..."

Davers looked quietly at Aristilas' face that was slightly distorted by pain. For a long while, he said: "You are right. But as long as Dionysius’s army continues to win, as long as his forces have not suffered a great loss, the hatred of the Sicilian people can only be hateful. Can't damage Dionysius. He also has the support of Sparta-"

Aristilas immediately said: "But Sparta is now in the midst of war, there is no extra force to support Dionysius, but in the south of Sicily there is the dead enemies of Syracuse, Carthage."

"This is indeed a good opportunity..." Davesmore licked his sparsely underarm jaw: the existing population of the Union of Dionya is about 800,000 people, regardless of business or agriculture, much different than Syracuse. And the military power of Dionia is relatively scattered because of the geographical location, it is not easy to concentrate, and the navy is even weaker. Once you fight with Syracuse, the pressure will be great..."

Aristilas looked at Dafoss for a long time, and he was anxious, but he did not dare to reveal it. The subconscious hands clenched the armrests of the wooden chair.

"Aristilas." Daphus finally spoke: "I will allow you to send your hand to Sicily from now on to learn more about the forces opposing the Syracuse and Dionysius in the city-states of Sicily. And initially go to establish contact with them."

"Yes, adults." Aristilas was in a good spirit and couldn't help but ask further: "And then?"

Davers looked at him with a gaze: "Before the war with Syracuse, there was no ‘then’.”

.................................

The next day, the public trial of Turui continued, and still attracted a large number of Diaonia citizens to watch. Because the content of today’s trial is mainly about whether “Pluxis and others collaborated with Syracuse and conspiracy to disturb Diaonia”.

Although the Greek city-states also have cases in which judges collude with foreigners and betray the country, such as Xenophon, he was accused by the Athens government of "beating the betrayal of Athens" in the absence of the Athens government a year ago. He executed, which made Xenophon even more afraid to return to Athens. However, like Diaonia, the "treason of treason" was explicitly written into the Code, and the different sentencing was carried out in detail according to its degree. The term "treason" is a few pages in the Code, showing the importance the Dionya Union attaches to this crime. Today's trial will be the first trial of treason in the Dionya League, which is only a few years old. It is necessary to know that the highest sentence for this crime is the death penalty, and the citizens who are very interested will wait and see.

Compared with yesterday, today’s Polisian mental state is a lot worse. Obviously yesterday’s trial has dealt a big blow to him, but he has to cheer up today because he was convicted yesterday. The most important thing is to deprive him of citizenship and deportation. But if you are convicted today, the possibility is hard to protect.

Aristotle's appearance was warmly welcomed by the people. Although the young judge was a bit awkward, he won the people's love with his agile thinking, sharp words, and courteous manner. Especially when he saw that he had hated the Polcysis and other people who were hating them, even some people began to inquire about his family situation, privately pondering: to marry his daughter to this promising young man. .

Polksis is still trying to save himself, but unfortunately, there is too much evidence against him.

In particular, there are many Syracuse silver coins in the property found in his home. Since Syracuse has been carrying out expansion wars in recent years, the cost is huge, the national treasury is almost empty, and the people are constantly charged with heavy taxes, and Dionysius disregards the credit of the city state, and also issues a poor quality silver coin to make up for the treasury deficit. Forcing the Syracuse people to use a "four drachma silver coin" (that is, a silver coin four times the weight of a drachma) in the past two years, which is doped with a lot of lead in the silver coin. . This kind of silver coin is rarely circulated in the market of Diania, but many such coins have been found in the property of Polixis, and it is necessary to know that his family does not do sea trade. This kind of coin is also found in the property of Orpheus and Masisakus.

More importantly, Aristotle has presented the jury with several letters found in the home of Polix. Aristocratic chose two to read aloud: "...Pluxus, I received your letter and learned that the recent discussion about the 'Citizens' Congress is more about the Dionysian Senate. The progress, the omnipotent general (referring to Dionysius), was very pleased to hear the news. He immediately agreed to the amount of silver coins you requested and will soon ship to the port of Turui with the merchant. At the same time, he also Let me remind you that it is not enough to let those businessmen and nobles come out to protest. The main body of the Dionysian Union is not them, but ordinary citizens who are soldiers of the Legion. If you can get close to them, draw them, let They also joined the protest crowd, then..."

Polluxis once again refused to admit it and shouted: "This is a forged letter!..."

"Forged?! Then ~www.novelmtl.com~Please look at this one--" Aristotle to pick up a letter and show it to the jury members: "This is the only one you searched." The letter you wrote is your handwriting and stamped. Look at the date, which is exactly the day you were arrested, so this letter has not yet had time to send it out, I believe the people will be very interested in the contents of the letter."

Aristocratic sneer on the bottom, watching Polissis, who rushed over and wanted to **** the letter, but was kept by the guards who maintained the order of the court, read again: "... Philip Master Stos - I want to explain here, you may not know, Phillips is the most important minister of Syracuse, Dionysius... I don't agree with your previous suggestions. Pulling the ordinary citizens of Dionia has little effect on the passage of the 'Citizens' Congress.' I came up with a good idea. Davers is working on 'governing Lucania, Brudy. Some of the people's bills can be used by me. I believe that after my instigation, the so-called alien elders who are simple-minded will probably give up their support for the proud young man..."

"This is forged! This is someone who wants to frame me!..." Polluxes hardly screamed at the tide of the crowd, shouting desperately.

Aristotle was immediately summoned to witnesses.

After the Syracuse Hermes was detained, they were interrogated by some cruel methods beyond this era. For example, first covering the nose and mouth with linen, watering it up a little bit, etc. It is better to die.

Then, Matonis told him coldly: He was sent back to Syracuse after telling the truth, or refused to confide and continue the trial.

Between the two choices, he chose the former without hesitation.