ancient greece mediterranean ruler

Chapter 386 Declaration of War on Lochry
In fact, there are some cultural connections between Dionia and Locle.When the city of Thurii was founded, the Athenian wise Protagoras formulated laws for it. He did not adopt Athenian laws casually, but based on the fact that Thurii was a city-state with many immigrants and complex origins, he chose the famous Lockean law. The lawgiver Zaleucus made the law of Thurii based on the law made by Locri.The Dionian Alliance was established on the ruins of the original Turii city, and absorbed the essence of the original Turii law.

Zaleucus was known for his harsh punishments. He once stipulated: "Anyone who wants to change any of the existing laws must first put a rope around his neck. Once his proposal is not passed, then He will be strangled." Zaleukus enforced the law impartially throughout his life.When his son broke the law, he had to have his eyes gouged out according to the law, and he did it without hesitation.However, out of father-son friendship, he dug out one of his own eyes on his son's behalf.

With such a figure as an example and such a law to govern the Locris, unlike the enthusiasm and jumping-off of ordinary citizens of Greek city-states, the Locris were famous in Magna Graecia for following the rules (of course, there was another Dionysian later). people), and also made them better at obeying orders, so they could fight against Crotone, which was stronger than it.

Perhaps it is precisely because of the strictness of the law that Locri's city-state patron gods are not like most other city-states who choose powerful gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Athena, etc., but choose two gentle gods. The goddesses - Aphrodite, the god of love and beauty, and Persephone, the queen of the underworld and the goddess of fertility, and also built magnificent temples for each of the two goddesses.Therefore, when Dionia holds the Hades celebration on September 9th every year, a small number of Locri people will also rush to participate, not only because of Tuliyi’s unique ceremony and lively scenes, but also because When the Dionians sacrifice Hades, they will also celebrate his queen Persephone.

At the same time, precisely because the city-state's patron saints are two goddesses, the social status of Locri women is higher than that of other city-states. They are allowed to wear veils in public and have partial property inheritance rights.This is somewhat similar to Dionia.

But the two Greek forces with somewhat similar cultures and customs unfortunately became enemies.

Before Fraukleon arrived in Lokri, the Lokri Council already knew about the assassination of the Dionia Consul.Although Turui blocked the entire city shortly after the incident occurred, Dionia, as the overlord of South Italy, not only Locri, but also other city-states in the South Italian Alliance, as well as Tarantum, sent some or More or less eyes and ears are stationed or hidden in the city of Thurii and at the port to keep abreast of the movements of Dionia so that the city-state can take corresponding countermeasures in a timely manner.Therefore, as soon as such a big commotion occurs, it will naturally be observed by interested people. After quickly ascertaining the situation, they rush to their own city-states by boat or horseback.

Frauclion set out the next day, but fell behind. His ship entered the port of Locri. The public officials at the port quickly spread the news to the city council. The messenger was surprised as to why he appeared here at this time.

A few of Locle's generals and parliamentarians knew a little bit about the real behind-the-scenes of the assassination. For example, General Demodocus, the brother of Dionysius's Locle wife Doris, had wishful thinking that Dionysius was responsible for the assassination. I'm afraid Asia is going to protest to Syracuse again, but I didn't expect Dionia's envoy to appear here.

Although surprised, out of etiquette and respect for Dionia, the South Italian overlord, Fraukeleon was invited into the meeting hall.

In Locri, like other democratic city-states, the Citizens' Assembly is the highest authority. In addition to discussing and deciding important city-state affairs, daily political affairs are handled by the General Executive Committee and the Council.

Simply put, the council is a reduced citizens' assembly. It divides all citizens participating in the citizens' assembly into many groups, usually ten groups, who take turns participating in city-state affairs through the council. Therefore, there are eight generals and eight generals in the council hall at this time. There are hundreds of council members, which is already a large formation, several times more than the number of people in the Dionia Senate.

After a brief preparation, Frauclion walked to the center of the venue at the invitation of the chairman of the council.

"Members of Locri, I, Frauclion, am here as an envoy of the Dionia Alliance, and I am here to question Locri on behalf of all the citizens of Dionia!" Frauclion straightforwardly explained the purpose of his visit. .

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a burst of consternation and commotion among the surrounding MPs.He did not stop talking, but raised his voice: "I think you all know the terrible incident of the assassination of Davos, the great governor of Dionia and the heartfelt commander of the citizens. The anger of the citizens of Dionia! Now, an assassin was caught on the spot. After interrogation, he revealed the truth and admitted that he was hired and helped by a Lokli businessman named Auroras to successfully sneak into Tuli. Yi, to Archon Davos——"

"This is slander! This is frame-up!" Locri's chief general Demodokas immediately interrupted Frauclion and retorted loudly: "Locri will not provoke you Dionia for no reason! Locri People are not that stupid!..."

"But the facts are the facts! After a detailed investigation in Tuliyi, everything is conclusively evidenced! The Dionysian Senate repeatedly confirmed that the person behind this assassination was finally determined to be you, Locri!" Frauclion confidently pointed his finger. Everyone in the audience shouted angrily.

The council immediately exploded: "Are all the Dionia Senate fools? What does this have to do with us Lockley? Why don't you question Syracuse!"

"This is obviously a common trick used by that gentleman. He has assassinated political opponents who opposed him many times in Sicily and other city-states!"

"Whatever evidence is conclusive, this must be forged! Dionia only dares to blame Locri, because you don't have the guts to provoke Syracuse, even if the businessman named O... Auroras is from Locri, He may also have been bribed by other city-states. Have you Dionia interrogated him? It is so easy to conclude that it was instigated by us, Locri!"

……

Frauclion ignored their arguments and abuses and continued: "For this reason, the Dionysian Senate and all citizens are extremely angry at Locle's despicable behavior and ask you to accept punishment. First, repent to Hades for you For the mistake, an envoy must be sent to Thurii to make a public apology to the Senate; secondly, compensation must be paid to the Dionian people who were injured and killed in this incident; finally -"

Facing the angry meeting, Frauclion was not afraid, and his voice was firm and loud: "Sever the alliance with Syracuse! If so, Dionia will forgive Lockli for what he did before, and Accept you into—"

Before Frauclion finished speaking, he was drowned by an angry roar: "Locli did nothing wrong at all, why should I accept these unreasonable demands of your Dionia!"

"This is humiliation! Humiliation for Lockery!!"

"This is Dionia's conspiracy! They want to break up the alliance between Locri and Syracuse!"

……

Not only were the members of the council yelling angrily, a few people even rushed to the center of the venue regardless of the dissuasion of others.

The one running at the front was one of the generals, Theopantus. This grumpy general rushed up and punched Frauclion, knocking him to the ground immediately.

Just when he was about to kick him again, another general, Metrophenis, hugged him and shouted anxiously: "Don't violate the sacred tradition of 'the envoys of the city-state are inviolable', and don't violate the laws of Locle." !”

Hearing the word "law", all the Locri people who had just rushed to surround Frauclion froze.

Metrophenis took the opportunity to shout: "Lord Demodokas, if you don't persuade them, they will be severely punished for breaking the law!"

Demodocus, who was originally watching the excitement, was mentioned by Metrophenis. As the chief general, he had to stand up. He first defended: "Huming Locri is Locri's enemy. Everyone protects the honor of the city-state." , how can it be considered illegal?!"

"Sir, you are right!" Someone immediately agreed.

"Okay, everyone, please step down. The meeting place is a sacred place. We, Lockley, are a civilized city-state, not Thurii. We cannot do anything to humiliate the messenger..." Demodokas said as he spoke. He stepped forward, and the members of the council returned to their seats obediently.

Demodochus served as Locle's chief general for nine years, largely because of his in-law Dionysius.Originally, Locri formed an alliance with Syracuse in order to use the power of Syracuse to defeat Crotone, their long-standing enemy. Unexpectedly, Crotone was weakened, but a more powerful Dione emerged. After the establishment of the Asian League, especially the South Italian League, Locri became even more isolated in Magna Graecia, so it relied more on Syracuse, which made the status of the Demodokas family more prominent. In addition, With Dionysius deliberately supporting his elder brother-in-law, Demodocus's influence in Locle was no longer what it used to be.

Theopantus snorted unwillingly and stepped back.

Fraukeleon stood up staggeringly, still refusing to admit defeat: "The old city of Thuliyi was burned down because it humiliated the messenger..."

"Dionysians, if you want to be strong, you have to look at the place. This is not the so-called city-state in the South Italian Alliance that pleases you Dionysia. This is Locri!" Demodokas sneered, proudly Said loudly: "Lockry neither has nor bothered to assassinate your consul, so we reject any unreasonable request from Dionia, please go back!"

reject!Although this answer was expected, Fraulein was still happy. He calmly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his fingers, stretched out his hand in front of Demodocas, twisted it, and then unfolded it. There was a trace of blood on the palm.He looked solemn and said word by word: "That means war!"

　Thanks to Vanishing Maple, Starry Sky Firefly, db190, Wen Ang, Li Shibin, and Gothic Walking Warrior for the rewards!Your support is my biggest motivation for writing! !

　　
　
(End of this chapter)