Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

"The area of ​​Sicily controlled by Dionysius is slightly smaller than Dionia, but half of Dionysia is mountainous and cannot grow cereals and other crops. Sicily is a well-known wheat producer in the Mediterranean. According to last year, Thira Judging from the trading volume of the wheat in Kusa City, the wheat production in Sicily may be twice that of ours.

Moreover, the port of Syracuse is prosperous. Compared with our city of Turi, it almost monopolized the sea trade between the Greeks and Africa. Even if it is now fighting with Carthage, it can still be seen in the port of Syracuse. To many Phoenician merchants.Although I am not sure 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 even the city-states that were established 300 years ago, such as Agrigento, Katana, Naxos, and Messina. The port trade is very prosperous!..."

Listening to the words of Aristilas, Davos nodded involuntarily and said, "It goes without saying that war mobilization ability. Since Dionysius is an arrogant, his greatest advantage is that he can concentrate his hands to the maximum. All the resources controlled by the people, including the people, can start a war suddenly without the approval of the council. I remember hearing the last time you heard that Dionysius’ war against Carthage on the north coast of Sicily Approximately 100,000 people dispatched?!"

"Yes, sir. It should be nearly 80,000 infantry and 20,000 navy."

"Last time... how many people did he attack in the west of Sicily?" Daveus asked again.

"It is also said to be 100,000 people."

Dafus exhaled: "Yeah, Syracuse will start a massive war of 100,000 people, and the key is that he can support such a large number of troops for more than half a year away from the mother state. 'S battle... Syracuse's war potential is really amazing!" Davers sighed unusually.

"Adult, although Syracuse is strong, it is not without weaknesses." Aristilas saw a slight frustration in Davis's tone, so he actively said: "Dionysius carried out Brutal rule to prevent the people from rising against him. He also forced the people to pay heavy taxes. Syracuse citizens must pay 20% of their income to the national treasury every year. The people resent him. And the citizens of other city-states in Sicily also hate him. , Because not only did they have to pay high tribute to Syracuse, but also in the previous war of conquest in Syracuse, some of their relatives were killed by the Syracuse in the battle, and some relatives were captured and used as slaves. Sold to faraway places...they harbor hatred of the Syracuses and Dionysius!..."

Daveus stared quietly at Aristilas's slightly deformed face due to pain.After a while, he said: "You are right. But as long as Dionysius's army continues to win, as long as his forces have not suffered great losses, then the hatred of the Sicilian people can only be hatred, Can’t hurt Dionysius. He still has the support of Sparta—"

Aristilas immediately said: "But Sparta is now in war, there is no extra power to support Dionysius, and in the south of Sicily there is Syracuse's dead enemy Carthage."

"This is indeed a good opportunity..." Dafsmo carried his stubble under his jaw: The Dionysian Union's current population is about 800,000 people, and it is much different from Syracuse in terms of business and agriculture. And, because of the geographical dispersion of the military power of Dionia, it is not easy to concentrate, and the navy is even weaker.Once you start a war with Syracuse, the pressure will be great..."

Aristilas looked at Davis for a long time without saying a word, anxious in his heart, but dared not reveal it, his subconscious hands clasped the armrests of the wooden chair.

"Aristilas." Daveus finally said: "I allow you to send your hand to Sicily from now on, to learn more about the forces of Sicily against Siracusa and Dionysius, And initially establish contact with them."

"Yes, sir." Aristilas rejuvenated and couldn't help asking further: "And then?"

Daveus looked at him, his eyes bright: "Before the war with Syracuse, there is no'then' for the time being."

……………………………

The next day, Turri’s public trial continued, and still attracted a large number of Dionyan citizens to watch.Because the content of today's trial is mainly about whether "Polykes and others colluded with Syracuse and conspired to disrupt Dionia".

Although Greek city-states have also tried cases of citizens colluding with foreign nations and betraying the country, such as Xenophon, he was tried by the Athens government in absentia for his “betrayal of Athens” because he had been serving for Athens one year ago. His execution made Xenophon dare not go back to Athens.However, like Dionysia, "treason" is explicitly written into the code, and different sentencing is carried out in detail according to its severity.The item of "treason" alone occupies several pages of the code, which shows the importance attached to this crime by the Dionysian Union.Today’s trial will be the first trial of the Treason of the Dionysian Union, which has only a few years of history. It is important to know that the highest sentence for this crime is the death penalty, and the citizens of high interest will wait and see.

Compared with yesterday, today’s Polyxis is in a much worse mental state. Obviously, yesterday’s trial hit him a lot, but today he had to rejuvenate himself, because yesterday he was found guilty. The most important thing is to deprive him of his citizenship and deport him. But if you are found guilty today, the possibility is not guaranteed.

Aristotle's appearance was warmly welcomed by the public. Although the young judge was a bit sloppy, he won the public's love with his quick thinking, sharp words and courteous manners.Especially when he saw that they demurred Polyxis and others who they hated, and some people even started to inquire about his family, thinking privately: to marry his daughter to this promising young man .

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

In particular, there were many Syracuse silver coins found in his home.Since Syracuse has been conducting wars of expansion in recent years, the cost is huge, the treasury is almost empty, and the heavy tax is constantly charged from the people. In addition, Dionysius disregarded the city’s credit and issued a poor quality silver coin to make up for the shortfall of the treasury. Forcing the people of Syracuse to use a "four drachma silver coin" (that is, a silver coin that is 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 coins rarely circulates in Dionysia's market, but many such coins have been found in Polyxis's possessions, knowing that his family does not do maritime trade.This kind of coin is also found in the belongings of Orifis and Massisakus.

More importantly, Aristotle showed the jury several letters found in the home of Pollux.Aristocrat picked out two letters to read aloud: "...Master Pollux, I received your letter and learned that the Dionysian Senate has recently discussed the issue of'convening a civic conference'. The General Plenipotentiary (referred to as Dionysius) was very pleased to hear the news. He agreed immediately with the amount of silver coins you requested and will soon be shipped to the port of Turui with the merchant ship. 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 Alliance is not them, but ordinary citizens who are legionnaires. If you can approach them, draw them, let them They also joined the protest crowd, then..."

Polyxes refused to admit to death again, shouting loudly: "This is a forged letter!..."

"Forged?! Then, look at this one—" Aristotle picked up another letter and showed it to the members of the jury: "This is the only letter found that you wrote, it's you The handwriting is also stamped. Looking at the date, it happens to be the day you were arrested, so this letter hasn't had time to be sent out. I believe the people will be very interested in the contents of the letter."

Aristotle, with a sneer on his face, watched Pollux, who was rushing madly and wanted to snatch the letter, but was restrained by the guards who maintained the order of the court, and read aloud again: "... Philly Lord Storrs-I’m going to explain here that you may not know that Philistos is the most important minister of Syracuse’s Lord Dionysius... I don’t agree with your previous suggestions. Ordinary citizens of Dionysia did not have much effect on the passage of the bill to convene a civic conference. I actually came up with a good idea. Some of the people’s bills can be used by me. I believe that after my instigation, those simple-minded so-called alien elders will probably give up their support to the proud young man..."

"This is a forgery! This is someone who wants to frame me!..." Pollux screamed desperately against the crowd's tidal waves.

Aristotle called the witness immediately.

After being detained, the Syracuse Hermes was interrogated by some brutal methods beyond this era, such as: covering his mouth and nose with linen, then watering it up little by little, etc., just let him live Better to die.

Then, Matonis told him coldly: either he was sent back to Syracuse after telling the truth, or he refused to confess and continue the interrogation.

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