Volume 4: The League of Dionia Chapter 41, Pride: The Symbol of Sparta

Generally speaking, the most awe-inspiring buildings in Greek city-states are the grand structures like temples, gymnasiums, and theaters. But Phoebidas and his attendants had yet to see many of those large buildings before they were already moved by the meticulous design and the clean, orderly appearance of the city. Phoebidas had been to Athens, that city famous throughout the Mediterranean—prosperous, yet noisy and dirty. Sparta, though tranquil, had to be admitted to be as crude as a village. Only here in Thurii were simplicity, generosity, elegance, tranquility, and cleanliness blended together into a thoroughly charming whole.

Dorobisis couldn’t help asking, “Who designed this city?”

“Heracleides, a disciple of Hippodamus!” Olivus replied loudly, watching their astonished expressions.

“Oh, Hippodamus!” Dorobisis exclaimed in admiration. That name was familiar to the Spartans, for it was he who had designed and built the Piraeus port, creating so much wealth for Athens—wealth the Spartans had gone to great lengths to seize in the past.

As they advanced further, they saw a huge white arch spanning the street. The Spartans had never seen such an arch design in any other city-state.

Dorobisis asked curiously, “What is this arch used for?”

Captain Olivus’s expression turned solemn. He said in a grave voice, “This is a Triumphal Arch! Generals and soldiers returning in victory will march through this gate to receive the salutes and cheers of the magistrates, the senators of the Senate, and all the people of the Alliance. A triumph was held here not long ago after the capture of Nerulum—what a scene it was… Alas, our First Battalion will have to wait until next time…”

Phoebidas did not look at Olivus’s regretful face. He and the Spartan warriors behind him gazed up at the massive Triumphal Arch, their eyes filled not only with shock but also with envy. For a soldier, what greater wish is there than to be cheered by their own city’s people after defeating the enemy? It makes the blood and sacrifice feel sacred and meaningful! But in Greek city-states where democratic spirit prevailed, such a thing was almost never done. Democrats believed it would give generals too much prestige and lead to tyranny. And although Sparta was founded on martial strength, the aged elders would never permit excessive glorification of victory, lest those young, bloodthirsty Spartan warriors slip out of their control—Lysander was the best example. And now, here in this remote colony on the western Mediterranean, far from mainland Greece, a city-state had actually done it and intended to continue… Phoebidas’s feelings were exceedingly complicated. Earlier he had not wanted to speak with the Patrol Captain, but now he asked, “How often do you conduct military training?”

“Why ask that?” Captain Olivus’s expression grew stern. He thought for a moment, then said, “But it’s no harm telling you. During the busy farming season, our Alliance citizens train once every seven days. Now it’s the slack season, so about once every two or three days, with each session lasting a full day!”

Such frequent military training surpassed most Greek city-states. No wonder these soldiers looked so well-disciplined. This was also a city-state that honored martial prowess! Phoebidas had a premonition that the purpose of his visit would be difficult to accomplish.

After crossing the broad, flat Victory Square—after the triumph, this newly built square had finally acquired its name, and since its main functions were to assemble troops before a campaign and hold triumphs after victory, the name “Victory” was indeed appropriate—Phoebidas entered the grand Council Chamber of the Thurii Senate.

This chamber was built so large that it could probably hold over a thousand people, so the several dozen senators sitting in the front rows seemed very inconspicuous. Seeing Phoebidas enter, all the senators stood up, applauding in welcome and bowing respectfully to show their reverence for Sparta. This finally brought Phoebidas a measure of satisfaction.

A young man at the head said, “Welcome, Spartan envoy from afar! What brings you to our Daonia Alliance?”

This must be the young magistrate of the Daonia Alliance, the military genius Cheirisophus had spoken of. Probably that Triumphal Arch was also his handiwork.

Phoebidas eyed him sharply and aggressively.

Davos did not flinch, returning a similarly deep gaze, as if trying to see through his intentions.

In Davos’s eyes, this Spartan wore a bright scarlet cloak and had long hair, uncommon among Greeks. His rugged face bore not only scars but also an arrogance that looked down on everything.

Having already gained a deeper understanding of this era, Davos felt that this envoy’s demeanor was the normal way Spartans treated outsiders; Cheirisophus was the exception.

The two men faced each other, staring coldly, and the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Kynogoratas coughed twice, about to break the stifling silence.

But Phoebidas spoke first, cutting straight to the point: “I come on behalf of Sparta to call the Daonia Alliance to account for its crimes!”

At these words, the senators burst into an uproar.

“We Spartans, in order to protect the Greek city-states in Asia Minor and the interests of all Greece, sent our army across the Aegean to Asia Minor to fight the Persians. But at a critical moment, some of our soldiers were lured away by you, fleeing the battlefield in Asia Minor, causing our war against the Persians to suffer setbacks. Even Satrap Thibron was exiled by the Council of Elders! Therefore, the Council of Elders has sent me to question your treacherous behavior!”

Was it that serious?! The senators exchanged uneasy glances.

“I don’t understand,” Kynogoratas said, puzzled. “You say we lured your soldiers. The Daonia Alliance is thousands of miles from Asia Minor. We have had little contact with Sparta. How could we possibly have lured your soldiers away?!”

“Exactly! As a newly founded alliance, we not only have no dealings with Sparta, we don’t even know where Asia Minor is!” Pleisinas added dramatically.

Phoebidas acted as if he hadn’t heard, staring only at Davos, sneering, “Those soldiers were mercenaries who took part in the Persian expedition! They fought alongside your magistrate and some of you in Persia for over a year, forming deep bonds. Our officers in Asia Minor personally saw foreigners frequently entering the camps of those mercenaries…”

Agasia noticed Antonios, Capus, and the others casting questioning glances his way, and he shook his head slightly.

“Are you certain these foreigners were citizens of our Alliance?!” Antonios demanded.

“What I am certain of is that the passenger ships carrying those deserters were all heading to Magna Graecia!” Phoebidas declared emphatically. “Therefore, the Spartan Council of Elders has decided: ‘The Daonia Alliance must hand over all the mercenaries who fled here, and—’” he raised his voice: “As punishment for the Daonia Alliance undermining Sparta’s war against Persia, we demand that your magistrate lead five thousand soldiers to Asia Minor, join our Spartan forces, and participate in the campaign against the Persians.”

“What?!” The senators erupted in shock and indignation. “What kind of reasoning is that?! The Daonia Alliance has no diplomatic relations with Sparta at all! By what right do you Spartans give us orders?!”

“By the right that you, as Greeks, have sabotaged Sparta’s sacred war on behalf of all Greeks against Persia! By the right that Sparta is the hegemon of all Greece!” Phoebidas declared proudly.

Davos laughed loudly.

Hearing the contempt in his laughter, the agitated senators immediately quieted down.

Mesis even chimed in, “Lord Davos, what are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing at how shameless the Spartans are!” Davos shot a scornful glance at Phoebidas. “Didn’t Sparta collude with Persia—the perennial enemy of the Greeks—slaughter its own同胞, and then defeat Athens?! And now Sparta is at war with Persia, its former ally?”

“Why is that?” Mesis quickly followed up.

“I’ve heard that before, in order to get Persia to fund its defeat of Athens, Sparta signed a treaty with Persia, agreeing to abandon protection over the Asia Minor city-states and cede them to Persian control. After the war was won, Sparta reneged on that agreement, hence the war between Sparta and Persia…” Davos looked at the slightly uncomfortable Phoebidas and said unsparingly, “A traitor that betrayed the interests of Greek city-states, a city-state that repeatedly breaks its promises—and yet it claims to represent all of Greece and wage a sacred war against Persia! Tell me, how can I not laugh?!”

“Yes, it’s utterly ridiculous! That such a shameless city-state exists is a disgrace to the Greeks!” Antonios, Amyntas, and their fellow senators deliberately jeered loudly.

Phoebidas’s face flushed red. He bellowed, “You dare insult Sparta?! Are you not afraid of Spartan wrath?!”

The laughter continued unabated.

Amyntas said excitedly, “Wrath? You mean war? That’s perfect! I’ve been waiting for the next triumph!”

“Lord Davos, the next battle should let the First Battalion go in. The soldiers are chafing at the bit!” Even Capus, who usually said little in meetings, joined in, clearly angered by the Spartans’ unreasonable arrogance.

“That’s right! The First Battalion has been with you, Lord Davos, since the old days, and they still haven’t had a triumph. The soldiers are starting to grumble,” Antonios added.

Phoebidas was dumbfounded. His anger had been cleverly transformed by these Daonians into calls to fight.

“Is the Daonia Alliance preparing for war with Sparta?!” he demanded harshly.