Chapter 136 Athens Declares War

"I have long heard that the kingdom of Dionia is very strong in the Western Mediterranean, and some city-states have to submit to your force. I don't quite believe it, but today on our own land in Athens, at the Holy Citizens Assembly, we The venerable Eleusis mystic torchbearer Callias was threatened in public by a Dionian messenger, which convinced me of Dionysian tyranny!"

Ifikrates stood up, pointed at Karias, and said indignantly: "Citizens remember the first sentence of his speech! - 'I greet you on behalf of the 2 million citizens of Dionia '—is this a greeting! No, it's a threat! He's threatening not just Callias, but every citizen of Athens! He's threatening us if we don't comply with Dionysian's demands , they will send a mighty army to conquer Athens!

But what I'm going to tell you on behalf of the citizens of Athens is that a few decades ago Persia, which is more populous than Dionysus, used to send messengers here to make similar threats to us, but in the end we won that war, so We Athenians are not afraid of any threat! "

"Ifikrates is right, we Athens are not afraid of any country, whether it is Persia or Dionia! Don't look at the number of Dionysians, they are afraid of war with Athens, otherwise they will not send a messenger in It's all talk here!..." Under the influence of Ifiklast, some Athenian citizens waved their arms to express their dissatisfaction loudly.

Karias still had a calm expression, and after the wave of noise subsided a little, he said confidently: "More than 10 years ago, Athens made a promise to Dionysian, 'the "Dionysians" will no longer be staged. "The play.' But when I walked into the city, I found multiple theatres performing this play of humiliation against the Dionysians. Many Athenians were learning that I was from Dionysus. After Asia, not only will he cast a contemptuous look, but he will also scold a barbarian...

The reason why I specially added the phrase '2 million citizens' in my speech is to solemnly remind you that Dionia is a big country and a power in the Western Mediterranean. The perception is good or bad, but first of all, you should show respect to Dionia!

Think about Sparta, who once brought you great harm. Every time their messengers came to Athens, how did you treat them? Even when their armies sacked the villages near the port of Piraeus, you still did not embarrass their messengers and put them back safely. Every time you go to war with Sparta, whether at an advantage or disadvantage, you end up choosing a peaceful truce with Sparta...  

The reason why you do this is not because Sparta is the most powerful city-state in Greece, and you must carefully consider the consequences of war with it. Today, this Sparta, which you have been cautious about, is struggling to support the attack of the Dionysian army. Therefore, in the face of a divine kingdom of Dionia, which is stronger than Sparta, should Athens show your respect, and at the same time treat all questions about Dionia with caution! ! "

Callias' words were deafening,

Let some citizens think.

"When your Dionysian fleet is showing off in the waters of Athens and its allies, intercepting merchant ships and threatening the maritime security of Athens, it is too strong for you to want us to show respect to Dionia!" Another The general Cabrias suddenly stood up and attacked.

Karias finally showed a trace of tension: the Athenians really mentioned this headache for him, and indeed the arrogance of the 1st Fleet was undoubtedly aggravating the tension between the two countries. He also wrote to the expeditionary army commander Crowe Tokatax expressed his opinion and hoped that the prince could persuade Corian to suspend the patrol of the Aegean Sea at this stage and avoid further irritating the Athenians. But judging from the current situation, Clotokatax failed to convince the self-confessed and arrogant Secorian, so he had to rack his brains to answer this question that gave him a headache.

However, just as he was mulling out a statement to better appease the dissatisfied Athenian citizens, Callistratus said again: "Citizens, we all know the reason why this barren land of Attica is able to Nurturing such a large population, and prospering to this day, Athens did not rely on the abundant products of the earth, but on sea trade.

Through sea trade, we can buy enough cheap food to meet the needs of the people; through sea trade, we can earn enough money to make our life rich and pay enough taxes, so the prosperity of sea trade Whether or not it is related to the life and death of Athens!

But in the past few years, the sea trade in Athens has been shrinking, the income of merchants has been decreasing, many workshops have begun to reduce production or even closed, and the number of homeless people in Athens and the port is increasing, but the price of food is gradually rising... You guys Any idea why? ! "

Callistratus' words were like a flaming torch thrown into an oil can, and the entire venue immediately boiled.

"That's because the Dionysian merchants sold a lot of cheap olive oil in various city-states. As a result, few of my goods were bought, piled up in the warehouse, and finally corrupted and deteriorated. Those are all money!"

"A fine amphora has never cost less than 6 drachmas, but the Dionian merchants can sell it for 4 drachmas, and this is a vicious trade competition against us in Athens, If they keep doing this, my pottery shop will collapse!"

"I am an excellent accountant. I have worked as an accountant for a large Parsons businessman for decades. I have been conscientious. A few days ago, he suddenly told me that because many of his overseas stores have been sluggish and his income has dropped sharply, he I had to be fired, along with several old men who had served for many years. I was very dissatisfied with him, but I now know that it was all the fault of the Dionysian Merchant!"

...

Wave after wave of denunciation continued to hit Karias in the center of the venue, which made him feel a lot of pressure. He frowned, his mind turned sharply, and he quickly thought about ways to defuse the anger of the citizens of Athens.

But at this moment, he heard the strong and strong voice of Callistratus: "Thank you for your speech to the citizens of Athens! We have all been clear about Dionia's thoughts and requirements, and then we will 'Do you want to remain friendly to Dionia? Or help Sparta?' This important issue is being voted on, so please—"

"Please wait, I still have something to say!" Karias felt a strong unease, so he asked eagerly.

"Please abide by the order of our conference and leave the venue immediately!" Callistratus looked at him indifferently and said firmly.

Karias hesitated to speak, and finally sighed helplessly. Before the guards came, he took the initiative to leave the center of the venue. Although he was a little disappointed, he still held his head high and faced the insults of the Athenian citizens and walked out. For this Athens Citizens' Assembly that he had longed for...

………………………………………………

In the afternoon, he was invited to the city hall of Athens, where he was greeted by the general executive committee headed by Callistratus.

Callistratus said to him with a solemn expression: "On behalf of all the citizens of Athens, we officially inform you that Athens has decided to join the Greek Alliance to help Sparta and defend against Dionia's aggression!"

Although Karias was mentally prepared, his grievances did not disappear. He sneered: "You have worked hard to manipulate the entire Citizens Assembly, and it is not in vain. Congratulations, you have finally achieved your goal."

Callistratus looked very calm, and he said calmly: "You are indeed very eloquent, but there must be a war between Athens and Dionia, which is unavoidable, and choosing to start a war at this time, right It's the perfect time for Athens."

"It seems that you are very confident that Athens will win!" Karias sneered again.

"I know Dionysus is strong." Callistratus looked at Carrias with deep eyes and powerful words: "But was Dionysia always strong? When you defended against Dionysius When the army of Athens invaded, when you learned that Carthage declared war on you... How could the relatively weak Dionysian feel the same as today's Athens! Dionia, who was founded only a few decades ago, Dare to take risks again and again, doesn't Athens, with its glorious history, have such courage!"

He paused for a while, and then said meaningfully: "You used Sparta many times to incite the emotions of the citizens of Athens at the Citizens' Assembly this morning, but let me tell you the truth, the facts of the past few decades have proved that Sparta No matter how tyrannical it is, it will not do much damage to the fundamental interests of Athens, but the power of Dionia has not yet fully entered the Greek mainland, and it has already greatly affected Athens. For the independence, freedom and prosperity of Athens, Athens citizens. Possess the same courage as in the Hippo War!"

Karias was silent for a while, then stared at him, and said with a little respect: "Then let us share the victory and defeat on the battlefield, and I hope to sit with you after the war to discuss the future of Athens!"

After speaking, he bowed slightly and then strode out of the city hall.

Kalistratos looked at the back of Karias leaving, his face suddenly became solemn, he turned to the others and said: "Next, we have to talk to the Persians quickly!"

………………………………………………

"Teacher, it's not good! It's not good!..." Aureas burst into the room out of breath.

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