The conference hall suddenly fell into a cold silence, the elders all know that Pausanias and Lysander have a very stiff relationship.
An elder coughed twice and asked, “Why haven’t I heard of this Thua Union that was mentioned in the report?”
“It’s a newly formed union, it’s full name is Thurii-Amendolara Union!” The explanation of Lysander left the elders who paid little attention to the western Mediterranean Sea in a daze. However, after some investigation, Lysander reminded them, “Do you all remember the time when the envoy of Thurii came to Sparta to ask for help a year ago?”
“Erm…yes, and we have rejected his request at that time.” The Elder Leucippus nodded and said, “But we have given Thurii the right to recruit mercenaries in the Greek city-states of the eastern Mediterranean. For a city-state that once supported Athens and sent troops to war. If it weren’t for them being invaded by those savages, out of morality as fellow Greeks, we had shown them the generosity and kindness of Sparta, otherwise….”
“That’s right!” The other elders chimed in.
“It is this envoy of Thurii that has obtained the permission of the Gerousia and arrived in Byzantium, he then recruited some of the mercenaries who had just returned from the Persian expedition, and it was these mercenaries who helped Thurii defeat those savages, and they then recaptured Amendolara, which was also occupied by the savages. Eventually, these mercenaries have become citizens of Amendolara, and their leader is called….called…Davos, and he has even become the archon for life of Amendolara.” When Lysander said this, Agesilaus II shouted in surprise, “Cheirisophus had once said to me, ‘During my expedition to Persia, I have found a military genius named Davos. So I wanted to apply to the Gerousia to let him become a distinguished guest of Sparta, and give him land to settle in Laconia.’ Is that the same person that Cheirisophus was talking about?!”
“Military genius?” sneed by Diopetus, an elder,, “Isn’t it ridiculous to talk about military genius in front of us Spartans?!”
“We Spartans all know that there is no such thing as genius in battle, only with continuous training from childhood to adulthood and continuous battles to gain rich experience. When they get old enough, every Spartan citizen can become an excellent commander!” Elder Leucippus said with pride.
“You are right!” Said Agesilaus.
Lysander looked at them and continued on, “Before long, we all know that Crotone occupied Thurii and burned down the city, and it was this Davos who led the Amendolarans to attack the army who were ready to return back to Crotone, and captured them. After that, Thurii and Amendolara formed a union, and Davos is still the archon for life….”
“It turns out that Crotone was defeated by these mercenaries. It seems that this Davos person has indeed some abilities.” An elder exclaimed.
“Archon for life of two city-states! I am afraid that this Davos is ambitious and wants to be the tyrant of Magna Graecia like Dionysius!” Leucippus reminded everyone.
“It has become clear that these mercenaries who have settled in Magna Graecia wanted to have their fellow mercenaries who had fought together with them, to help them in Magna Graecia, so they sent people to Ephesus to incite the mercenaries to flee!” Diopetus exclaimed.
“The report of Cheirisophus didn’t mention anyone found to be causing trouble, perhaps it was because these mercenaries heard the news about Magna Graecia.” Another elder wanted everyone to not take these too seriously.
“Then why haven’t we heard anything about these rumors in Sparta? This is obviously done by people who have intention!” Diopetus retorted.
Several people argued. Although Lysander and another elder were at odds with each other, Lysander still said, “As long as there is a connection between these two things, if we Spartans say that it was the Thua Union who did it, then they did it!”
“Agree! That’s the way we Spartans do!” Lysander’s tough approach was approved by the elders headed by Leucippus. Pausinias inwardly scorned Lysander, who has always been known for his anti-tradition, said that he would carry out the tradition of Sparta. But he could only remain silent and did not object.
At the end of the argument, the culprit was found, and how to punish the Thua Union, the opinion of everyone are almost the same, that is, to send people to denounce the Union, and demand compensation for the losses of Sparta, and send back the mercenaries who fled to Thua Union!
Lysander added, “Since Davos of Thua Union is good at commanding, then let him lead his troops to join the army of Dercylidas and fight against the Persians!”
“Agree! It’s their punishment for sabotaging the Spartans in Asia Minor!” Several elders agreed.
All the elders had determined the fate of Thua Union.
At this time, Agesilaus asked, “What if Thua Union refuses our request?”
“If they dare! Then it means war with Sparta!” Diopetus just finished speaking, then felt that something was wrong.
Pausanias immediately responded, “Now we are currently dealing with the Persians and defending the Peloponnesian Peninsula, and are currently preparing to attack the city-states that are dissatisfied with Sparta like Elis. I am afraid that we will not be able to send troops to Magna Graecia.”
“Agree! Magna Graecia has always had a good relationship with Sparta, and we have never sent troops to Magna Graecia. If the city-states were to be dissatisfied with us, the gain will not be worth the loss.” Another elder chimed in.
“Will we just tolerate the Thua Union trampling on the dignity of Sparta?” An elder exclaimed in anger.
“Rest assured, even if we don’t know how the Thua Union will react to this, even if they refuse and we can’t send troops, isn’t there still Syracuse?” Lysander said with a smile. His words awakened the elders. Sparta supported Syracuse and even ignored the fact that Dionysius is a tyrant. They hoped that in the western Mediterranean, a place that has not yet been touched by the Spartan army, there would be a strong city-state that is friendly with Sparta and is able to act according to the will of Sparta and stabilize the situation there. Therefore, the elders no longer entangled themselves in this issue and began to discuss the candidate to send to Thua Union.
“I will go.” Agesilaus recommended himself, because he was a little interested in the Davos that Cheirisophus mentioned.
“Not you, else the Thua Union will look down on Sparta!” As soon as Diopetus said this, the other elders felt that he had gone too far. Obviously, this was Diopetus mocking Agesilaus lameness. 𝙚𝙤𝙫𝙚𝒍.𝒐𝙧𝙜
In the face of such humiliation, Agesilaus still manage to keep his calm. It seems that he had been facing the scorn of others for decades and so his mind had become extremely strong, and his expression remains unchanged. He wanted to say something more, but.
Lysander said, “The Thua Union, a remote union of small cities, is not worthy of the noble royal family of Sparta, the Greek overlord!”
Lysander’s words not only restored the dignity of Agesilaus, but also blocked him from going to Thua Union.
“I propose Phidias to be the envoy.” Lysander recommended.
The elders then exclaimed, “Phidias?! That guy is quick-tempered and wilful!”
“We need a strong envoy to force Thua Union to give in!” Lysander said firmly.
Afterwards, they have finally determined Phidias to be the envoy that will go to Thua Union.
At the end of the meeting, Lysander stopped Agesilaus, who was about to leave, “Are you still complaining for not letting you go to Thua Union?”
Agesilaus shook his head, he had already thought about it, and then said with a smile, “I think that you are doing this for my own good, isn’t it because of Agis?”
Lysander then put his hand on his shoulder with satisfaction and whispered, “Agis won’t be able to last. You must not let his illegitimate son, Leotychides, to take advantage of your absence….rest assured, I am always on your side….”
Agesilaus immediately expressed his thanks to Lysander.
Lysander smiled. He liked the prudent and humble character of Agesilaus. Agesilaus was friendly and respectful to him, and is easy to control….
Lysander didn’t see it, but behind him, Pausanias watched him and Agesilaus talking and laughing.
Pausanias called Diopetus and said in a low voice, “Look, our ‘reformer’ have been very close to Agesilaus lately.”
Diopetus looked coldly at them, then turned to Pausanias and said, “Although Leotychides will undoubtedly succeed the throne, there have been rumors recently. In order to ensure that he can succeed Agis, I need to ask for your help.”
“You are asking me to ask Delphi for an oracle in the name of the king?” Pausanias immediately understood what the request of Diopetus was. Since ancient times, the two kings of Sparta claimed to be the close descendants of Heracles. So they have a privilege that other Spartans do not have, it was up to them to ask Delphi for an oracle and therefore, have the power to interpret it.
“Yes!” Diopetus looked at him with expectation.
“I will send someone to Delphi!” Pausanias then simply nodded, “I will never let that fellow extend his ambition to our royal family!”
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
The time has come to November, if it was in the ancient times hundred of years ago, this would have been not a good time for sailing, but with the progress of navigation technology, even in the Mediterranean Sea where there are many storms in winter, the main trading routes are still very busy.
The merchant ships that Timasion, Xanticles, Cleanor and the others took had finally arrived at the Gulf of Taranto in Magna Graecia.
“In front of us is Thurii, our city-state!” Said Agasias excitedly, while pointing to the looming green coastline ahead.
They all leaned to the side of the ship and looked forward.