Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Cabulias looked awkward and explained in a low voice: "In the morning, the Dionian fleet approached the port of Piraeus. At that time, it was reported that the border defense was broken by the Dionian army. The news, the city is very chaotic... In order to prevent accidents, I ordered the temporary closure of the port... The Dionian fleet has also approached the port of Piraeus several times before, and we all did this, but I will never I didn't expect that the reason why the Dionia fleet did this this time was actually to cover up their attempt to capture Aegina!"

"I remember, you did tell us that the'Dionia Fleet threatened the port of Piraeus'. In order to prevent losses, we also agreed to the order to close the port." Kalistra Tuss face became extremely ugly: "But now Aegina is under attack, what should we do?!"

Cabulias hesitated only for a moment, and decided to make up for it. He resolutely said: "Aegina must not be occupied by Dionia. I request that the fleet be attacked first, attack and divert the Dionia fleet, you Send a fleet to carry reinforcements, take the opportunity to enter the port and defend the city of Aegina!"

The generals all knew that Cabrias’ plan was very risky, but at least half of them agreed almost without thinking, because they all knew that although the Dionian fleet was strong, it still could not completely block the sea of ​​Athens. The access is because their station is in the southern Peloponnese, and they go back and forth every morning and evening. There is always a gap of time to cruise in the Salong Bay, but if Dionia is allowed to occupy the island of Aegina, which is close to Athens , Because Aegina has a complete military port facility, they can park the fleet directly on Aegina, just like holding a dagger directly on the chest of Athens, and can threaten Piraeus 24 hours a day. Port of Fos, it would be a huge disaster for Athens.

"Generals, although I have conveyed their requirements to you in accordance with the requirements of the Aegina crew, I do not want you to send a fleet out of the port!" The Piraeus Port official said with a solemn expression: " According to the crew of Aegina, Dionia came with two fleets, one to encircle Aegina and the other to block the port of Piraeus. Their number may exceed 600, so they rushed out of Egypt. All 20 warships in the port of Ina were rammed and sunk, and only one clipper, under their cover, finally rushed into the port...

In the port of Piraeus, there are only 75 warships. If you risk the attack, I am afraid that you will suffer the same bad luck. If Athens does not have the protection of warships, I am afraid that the punishment of the gods will come!"

The generals were shocked after listening.

Before the Persian army came, the Athenians asked Delphi for an oracle: the wooden wall will defend Athens!

Under the bewitching of Di Mistocles, the people believed that the "wood wall" mentioned in the oracle was a warship, and therefore spent a lot of money to build warships, and the Salamiga naval battle dominated by the Athenian fleet became a Greek battle. The turning point of the Polish War also convinced the people of Athens to believe in Delphi's oracle, which was passed on from generation to generation.

Now Athens is facing great danger. If the warships that Athens depends on will also be destroyed, these generals will feel panic and at a loss from the bottom of their hearts.

At this time, even Kabrias, who was determined just now, became a little confused.

"Let’s make a truce with Dionia." Iphikratus sighed softly: "This is the end of the matter. Only in this way can Athens be saved!"

The words of Efekrates shocked everyone, and the room fell silent. Before he arrived, it was not that no one had thought about making peace with Dionia, but no one spoke up because it was the general at the time. Only when the executive committee reached a consensus, will the citizens of Athens be incited to hostile to Dionia, and finally war will be declared on Dionia. Now only a few months later, he will change his course. The general who first proposed this resolution We undoubtedly have to bear more anger from the citizens of Athens.

But Ifekratus’ words pierced the window paper. The Dionian army was approaching the city and the sea barrier of Aegina was invaded. Athens, which was trapped in a dangerous city, actually had no other choice.

At the urgent citizens’ assembly, when Callistratus proposed to "make peace with Dionia", he thought he would suffer criticism and obstruction from the citizens, but he did not, because whether it was from Citizens who returned from defeat on the west frontier, citizens who followed Iphikratus in the Peloponnese for several months, and citizens who fought every day on the battleship and dealt with the Dionia fleet... none of them Exceptionally aware of the strength of the Dionian army, and desperately wanting to end this terrible war, he has no intention to hold the General Executive Committee accountable.

The proposal was passed quickly, and Calistratus took the initiative to apply to become an envoy to the Dionian army.

Early in the morning of the second day, the ground outside Athens shook and the dust was filled, and the Allied forces of Dionia appeared in the sight of the sentinel at the head of the city.

The citizens of Athens who received the news hurriedly put on their armors, picked up shields and spears, and rushed to the city to prepare for defense.

At this time, the Dionian coalition forces were already in a good position below the city. I saw soldiers like tides, spears like forests, countless flags spreading, countless armors shining... Seeing the citizens of Athens, their eyes were dizzy and their hearts tightened.

"Hades!!! Hades!!! Hades!!!..." The Dionian soldiers shouted in unison, like a thunderstorm, causing the Athens citizen soldiers to fight in two battles.

It was in the situation that the Dionian army was like a rainbow, Calistratus went out of the city gate, walked straight into the Dionian army, and met Patroclus, the commander-in-chief of this army.

But when he proposed that "Athens wanted to negotiate a truce with Dionia", Patroclus shook his head and refused, and told him that the power to negotiate a truce with the Greek League was under the command of another Dionian army. In the hands of Prince Cloto Kataks.

Callistratus had no choice but to put forward again: Can the attack on Athens be suspended during the negotiations between Athens and Dionia?

Patroclus even bluntly refused: Unless the armistice agreement is signed, the Dionian army under his command will never stop its attack on Athens!

Hearing this, Callistratus had to rush to Peloponnese immediately.

And Patroclus lined up under the city of Athens, just to show the power of the Dionian coalition forces and to attack the morale of the Athenians.He knew in his heart that the city of Athens could not be easily captured, so he quickly issued an order: the army built a camp two miles away from the city of Athens.

………………………………………………

Callistratus hurried all the way south, past Megara, and entered Corinth City.

The Corinthians took the initiative to ask him about the battle in the north. He spoofed: Athens gathered all the soldiers in the city, and defended first. Now it has easily repelled the Dionian army's full siege and is accumulating more strength. .He came this time at the request of the people of Athens to negotiate with Dionia, hoping to return the remains of the citizens of Athens who died in the Peloponnese.

The Corinthians will be suspicious, but they can confirm one thing: The Athenians are already defending the city and it is impossible to send reinforcements to them.

On the way to the Dionian barracks, Calistratus saw the Dionian army lined up under the city of Corinth, and they were using a ballista called the ballista mentioned by Ifekratesite. The siege equipment, and the continuous bombardment of stone bullets against the city wall, was indeed shocking, which made him feel the situation more urgent.

Iphikratus also mentioned one point: The Dionian army is good at building camps and has the habit of "building camps wherever they go."

And this time, the Dionian army built the camp next to Ismia, the port of Corinth on the east side of the isthmus. He heard the Corinthians say: Not long after the Dionian army arrived under Corinth, they tried their best to The port of Asia launched an offensive. Due to their large numbers and fierce attack, although the Corinthians made reinforcements to the port, the port of Ismia, with its simple defensive facilities, only lasted for a long time before being overwhelmed by a raging black wave.

Kallistatus stood high on the coast, and he could even see the many Dionian warships anchored in the port. He could think of the reason why the Dionian fleet started to land on Aegina. The offensive was precisely because they occupied the port of Ismia, not far from Aegina. With a foothold, they could better blockade the port of Piraeus and continue to move towards the port of Aegina. The army provides support...

Under the guidance of the Dionian team officer, the heavy-hearted Callistratus entered the relatively rudimentary Deoria camp and entered a military account.

There was only one person in the military tent, and it was actually Karias who had been to Athens before.

Carrias smiled and took the initiative to greet him: "Master Callistratus, welcome you! Coming all the way from Athens, it's hard work, please sit down and rest, I will prepare a cold for you The honey syrup, quench your thirst first!"

Karias was very courteous and did not have a sense of domineering, but the name of "Master Callistratus" still made the chief general of Athens feel the sharpness implied in his words, he added With the alert in my heart, a smile quickly appeared on his face: "Thank you very much! You are so thoughtful!"

As he said, he sat down unceremoniously, picked up the jar on the table, poured himself a glass, drank a sip, and then said cheerfully: "This water is really delicious!"

Karias also returned to his seat and said apologetically: "Master Callistratus, you have asked to see His Royal Highness Cloto Kataks. Unfortunately, he is not in the barracks now. I see you."