Chapter 54: Thebes Falls

"Oh, that cunning Phoebe Das!"

Among the Spartans most familiar to these ministers of war, apart from Kerisopes, who had come to Turii many times to negotiate, it was probably Phoebe Das. But in the hearts of Dionysians, his image can be said to be notorious. Not only did he participate in and direct the military operations of Syracuse to invade Dionia in the southern Italian battle, he also designed the massacre of Dionysius. s family. Although the people of Dionysus hated Dionysius, they were also disgusted by the betrayal and deceit of Phibbidas.

"Your Majesty, what is Phoebe Das doing?" Tormid asked curiously.

"He's just been appointed by the Spartan Council of Elders to be the head coach of the Chalkidic League," Davos said.

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At this moment, Phoebe Das, who was being talked about by several of Dionia's military officers, was leading a large group through the Isthmus of Corinth. His task was to lead the main force of Sparta to the Kalkidic Peninsula, help Macedonia to take back the lost land, defeat Olintus, and dismantle the Kalkidic alliance.

This is an extremely important task, and it was not up to Phoebe Das originally, because although the trapping of Dionysius was an order issued by the council of elders, some Spartan elders still carried out this massacre task. Bidas was disgusted and objected to letting him lead, and it was only Agesilaus' insistence that he finally got the appointment.

The army is about to enter the Pioxia area.

At this time, Phoebe Das repeatedly reminded the troops at all levels to be vigilant and march cautiously.

Because after the end of the Corinthian War, Thebes was the last city-state to accept the Great King’s peace treaty. After being forced to break up the Pioxia League, which the Thebes had been working hard for, the Thebes must be very dissatisfied with the attitude of Sparta. , Although Thebes has not made any provocative actions against Sparta on the surface in recent years, Phoebe Das did not dare to take it lightly, so as not to betray the trust of Agesilaus.

After the Spartan army passed through the ruins of Platia, it was almost approaching the territory of Thebes.

Seeing that it was getting late, Phoebe Das ordered the troops to camp on the spot.

Just as the warriors began to get busy, a mysterious man came from Thebes and insisted on seeing Phoebedas.

When the guards led him into the big tent, he respectfully saluted Phoebedas, and then said, "Respected General Phoebedas, I am a confidant slave of Leontiadas."

Of course Philidas knew who Leontiadas was.

The Thebes hated Sparta,

But not everyone is like this. Just as there were pro-Spartans among the citizens of Athens and Corinth, so did Thebes. It was because of their promotion at home that Thebes finally accepted the king's peace treaty, and Also because of Sparta's popularity in recent years, Thebes had to reuse the pro-Sparta faction that had been suppressed in order not to provoke it, to show Thebes' friendly intentions to Sparta, Leon. Tiadas is the head of the pro-Spartan faction, and he is also one of the military consuls of Thebes this year (Thebes is also a dual consul regime).

After confirming the Persian silver mask that Agesilaus had presented to Leontiadas half a year ago, Phoebedas' serious expression softened, and he asked, "Leontiadas pie. What are you here to tell me?"

The slave didn't speak, just stared back and forth at the guards on both sides.

Phoebe Das understood, but said loudly: "They are the heroic warriors of Sparta, my good comrades in arms, there is nothing to keep secret!"

Seeing what Phoebe Das said, the slave had to bite the bullet and say, "General, my master wants to invite you to lead your troops to attack the Acropolis of Thebes together."

It turned out that although Leontiadas was elected as the consul, the anti-Spartans in the council and the citizens' assembly accounted for the vast majority, and his rights were greatly restricted, and he actually became a display. Feeling humiliated and arrogant, he secretly determined to change this embarrassing political situation.

At this time, he saw that the large army of Sparta was approaching. Two days later, it happened to be the Mother's Day of Thebes (that is, the celebration of Demeter), and the acropolis would be undefended and handed over to the women. Celebrate holiday. On the Mother's Day of Thebes, the city-state women who have been doing housework can celebrate in the Acropolis Temple. Since they are required to stay at home all the year round, they will have some unrestrained actions when they are free on this day, so the city-state Men should avoid it, a custom similar to Dionysus.

So, he made a risky decision: unite with the Spartans, capture the Acropolis of Thebes, capture the anti-Spartans, and completely grasp the power of Thebes.

After listening to the slave's detailed narration, Phoebe Das was surprised but also moved.

Just as he was contemplating, the Spartan adjutant next to him couldn't help but say: "Phoebedas, the task given to us by the Council of Elders is to go to Calgiedek and attack Orintus, not to get the elder With the permission of the council, we will attack Thebes rashly and cause a new war."

Hearing this, the slave looked anxiously at the leader of the Spartan army.

If it was an ordinary Spartan general, he might strictly follow the instructions of the Council of Elders and never make any extras, but Phoebe Das was different. He was daring in the days when he spent with Dionysius in the South-Italian War. What he learned more was the cunning and viciousness of any means to achieve an end, so he mused: "Solax, after the Peloponnesian War, the Spartan army was free to enter and leave Central Greece. , And after the last war, when we led the army through here, we had to obtain the consent of several important city-states in Central Greece in advance, otherwise we could only go to Northern Greece by boat, do you know why?"

The adjutant named Thorax said without hesitation: "It's because Athens, Thebes... these city-states in Central Greece are against us."

"So you see that Sparta was blocked by Athens and Thebes on the Peloponnesian Peninsula, and the movement is very unfree. We need to make Thebes an ally of Sparta again, which is far more than attacking thousands of miles away. The Chalkidik is much more important! Now that we are close to the territory of Thebes, and the Thebes are about to celebrate, apparently thinking that we will lead an army to northern Greece, so completely neglected. If we miss I will regret this great opportunity this time!" Phoebe Das said in a deep voice, clenching his fists, his eyes flashing with greed.

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Thebes is on the plain to the south of Lake Yelica, and its city is just stuck on the main road leading to the western part of Central Greece and northern Greece. The east and west sides are stretched by mountains of three or four hundred meters above sea level, although it is not too difficult. Yes, but far less convenient than going straight through Thebes. Thebes also relied on the prosperity of commerce and trade caused by the fertile and convenient transportation of the southern plains of Lake Yelica, making it a major state in Greece.

The Acropolis of Thebes was built on an oval-shaped highland called Kademia in the city, and it is also considered one of the best cities of David in the city-states of Central Greece. Just due to terrain constraints, the city of Thebes is a rectangular shape that is long from north to south and narrow from east to west. The acropolis is almost next to the eastern city wall near the mountains.

On Mother's Day

Phoebe Das first led a part of the troops to sneak quietly in the mountains on the east side of Thebes. After Leontiadas used his consul's power to mobilize the guards at the east gate, Phoebe Das led an army. The influx quickly occupied the dangerous but undefended acropolis.

The council of Thebes, composed of nobles, was threatened and blocked by the rogues hired by Leontiadas, and could not summon citizens to resist in time.

The pro-Spartans had already formed an armed force to attack the southern gate of Thebes, opened the gate, put in the remaining Spartan troops, and led them to hunt and kill anti-Spartans wantonly in the city. There were screams and chaos...

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Pelopidas was attending a banquet at Charon's home when the Spartans attacked the city of Thebes.

Charon was a well-known wealthy businessman in Thebes. He was outspoken and made many friends. He invited many friends to his house on the grounds that "women on Mother Earth's Day revel in the temple, and we men can't treat ourselves badly."

Ipaminonda was not on the invitation list. At the age of 37, he has always been obsessed with learning. He rarely takes the initiative to participate in political affairs and does not like to make friends. He is not well-known in Thebes, but Pelopidas is his close friend. , forcibly dragged him to the banquet.

During the banquet, Ipaminonda deliberately sat in the corner, quietly tasting food, and quietly listening to other guests chatting.

Pelopidas is the most notable, he is energetic, articulate, quick-thinking, and knowledgeable, coupled with his active involvement in politics as an adult, albeit at a young age, he has already held important positions in the city-state, And he was the most active of the anti-Spartans, so many people surrounded him and were proud to talk to him.

Halfway through the banquet, a friend of theirs broke in and told them: The Spartans have entered the city and are hunting down a pro-Spartan member!

The shocking news caused chaos in the banquet.

Pelopidas was the first to react, and he shouted: "We must quickly gather the citizens and drive the Spartans out! Who is going with me?!"

But no one came out to respond.

Disappointed, Pelopidas turned around and walked out, but was stopped by Ipaminonda: "My friend, please calm down! Philidas has said it very clearly just now, 'It's Leonti Addas and the Spartans colluded, so that the Spartan army could easily enter the city.' This is an elaborate plan, the Spartans have occupied the acropolis, and there are traitors assisted, you go out not only It's impossible to pit panicked citizens against murderous Spartans unprepared, and make yourself a gourmet for hungry wolves!"