Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Chapter 377: Carthages Current Situation

“Yes, this is the manuscript of Herodotus' ?The Histories? and the diaries and materials recorded by him during his travels. When Thurii burnt down, his descendants did not bring anything out when they escaped from the fire except these precious materials. Afterwards, they donated everything to the library!” Said Ansitanos excitedly.

“I…can I have a look?” Even though Lysias's family was having difficulties in Athens, he didn't ask anyone for anything. But now, he looked at Ansitanos with eagerness.

However, Ansitanos shook his head, “Lysias, I apologised, but Herodotus's original manuscript of The Histories and materials are the most valuable treasures of Theonia, and precious materials such as these are stored up there and protected by special personnel.” Ansitanos pointed upward, which is the second floor of the library. “Due to their duties and research, only statesmen of the Senate and scholars of the Akademia of Theonia are allowed to enter. Yet, they could not even bring those precious and confidential materials out and could only read it there.”

“However, if you were to join Theonia, you will become the dean of the Institute of Literature according to lord Davos' promise, so it would be easy for you to check any books and materials in the library.”

Lysias stood in his place as his expression changed. Although he had only been in Theonia for nearly two days, he was shocked at how this vibrant and rapidly developing city-state union with a short history had also attached great importance to knowledge and culture. They had even formulated a lot of systems and built many facilities to highlight its importance and ensure its development and inheritance, such as the Akademia of Theonia, Hall of Sages, and the newly built library… With its splendid culture, even Athens does not have such systems and facilities. It respects knowledge and scholars in such an important position as Theonia, a paradise for scholars to give full play to their talent!

After pondering about it, Lysias finally made up his mind, “After I return to Athens, I will discuss it with my family and decide when to come to Thurii.”

“Splendid!” Ansitanos was overjoyed and came forward to pat on Lysias' shoulder and said, “Lord Davos will be thrilled when he knows that Theonia will have another famous Greek scholar! Believe me. You will be better off in Theonia than in Athens!”

“Shh!” The librarian poked his head out from behind the reception desk and made a hushing gesture.

Ansitanos could only nod apologetically.

At this time, Lysias said with a troubled expression, “Ansitanos, as far as I know, you are the dean of the Institute of Literature.”

“I am more interested in history. Rather, I only reluctantly agreed to become the dean of the Institute of Literature at the request of the archon because no one was competent at that time. But this has wasted too much time that I should have spent in writing my book. Now there is you who is more capable and has deeper literary attainment than me to take over, and I can't be happy enough…” Ansitanos said a lot of things without thinking.

“Thank you, my friend!” Lysias smiled and bowed to Ansitanos. His heart suddenly became relieved after finally making his decision. He looked at the countless rows of bookcases stretching deep into the vast space in front of him, filling the air with the strange scent of wood and paper scraps. He took a deep breath, and he felt somewhat intoxicated, ‘I will spend the rest of my life here!’

“Ansitanos, if it is convenient, can you take me to meet the one you called ‘God's favoured’ and the undefeated Davos. I would like to see for myself what kind of a great man someone who founded the Akademia of Theonia and built the library should be?!” His eyes were filled with curiosity and longing.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

After the Carthaginian's envoy's ship sailed into the circular military port of Carthage, which is famous throughout the Mediterranean, the Carthaginians swarmed at the emerging envoy to learn about the result of the negotiation.

When they learned that the peace agreement has been signed and that they only needed to pay a certain amount of food, gold and silver to continue owning several cities, including Lilybaeum, Eryx and other city-states in the west of Sicily, everyone cheered, and some even shed tears…

The Sicilian war that lasted for several years cost Carthage a lot of wealth, and many of their citizens were also killed in this long and cruel war.

Especially during Carthage’s first war with Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse, when the shophet Himilco led his army winning a great victory at the start and reaching even the city of Syracuse, but due to the outbreak of plague, they suffered miserably that they only manage to have dozen-odd ships struggling to sail back to the port.

Hearing this tragic situation, the Carthaginians gathered at the port inquiring about their relatives. After learning that fifty-sixty thousand soldiers (excluding mercenaries) had either died in Sicily or captured, the wails and screams of the bereaved rang throughout the coastline. It was the darkest day in Carthage, and the whole city was in grief.

Everyone wore black vail, every household closed their doors to see no visitors, suspended their businesses, and even the temples were closed…

In contrast, the nobility among the nobles in Carthage's politics, the Magonids, who had come from Carthage's mother state, the royal family of the famous Phoenician city – Tyre, monopolising the Carthaginian politics for nearly 200 years, had now finally been threatened. Following the disastrous defeat of the Carthaginian army led by Hamilcar, the patriarch of the Magonids, against Gelon the tyrant of Syracuse, in the Battle of Himera more than 70 years ago, the name of the Magonids was linked to defeat on an overseas expedition. And this time, the situation was more serious as almost everyone in the Carthaginian army was lost, but Himilco did not die on the battlefield like his ancestor. Instead, he abandoned his comrades and soldiers and fled back alone. Such an act of desertion is enough to be punished by getting crucified according to Carthaginian law, but because of the Magonids status as kings in Carthage, the Magonids patriarch was temporarily exempted from the punishment. However, the storm did not end there as the Carthaginian elites, who are already discontent with the Magonids, used the grief and anger of the citizens to push for reform.

Himilco, the loser who had brought shame to his family, realised that the situation was highly unfavourable to the Magonids. So he confesses to the gods about his sin by wearing cheap and worn linen clothes every day and going to the main Temple of Melqart in Carthage in hopes to redeem himself in this way. But in the end, the citizens' persecution, ridicule and humiliation made him break down, and six months later, he locked himself at home and killed himself. Unfortunately, this public act of atonement is still not enough to safeguard the authority of the Magonids.

Shortly afterwards, Carthage established a new political body – the Hundred and Four, a constitutional authority composed of members of the aristocracy. Its duty is to supervise the actions of Carthaginian officials and military commanders and the work of the high court. However, the Magonids was not elected to be a part of it.

In order to revive the declining power of the Magonids in Carthage and win back prestige among the populace, Mago, the new patriarch of the Magonids and was the younger brother of Himilco, took advantage of their family's still significant influence in the Senate and the tyrant of Syracuse – Dionysius' attack on Soluntum and once again provoked Carthage's third Sicilian war against Syracuse.

However, the Carthaginian army, which was significantly weakened, was losing more than winning against an increasingly powerful Syracusan army. Mago insisted on continuing, however, Carthage was already tired of war, and with no chance of victory in sight, they feared another disastrous defeat, so “truce” became the unanimous voice of the citizens.

Eventually, an agreement was reached, however, Mago had to bear responsibility for their defeat. So when the Carthaginian envoy in charge of negotiating with Syracuse returned, the whole city was cheering at the arrival of peace. At the same time, only one family felt cold, and one might even say disheartened.

In a huge residence not far from the mountain in the Acropolis of Carthage, people of the Magonids are paying a memorial ceremony as today is the memorial day of Himilco. However, the loud, noisy music and the cheering of the people outside their residence have obviously destroyed the sorrowful atmosphere.

But Hasdrubal knew that the Carthaginians are currently worshipping and celebrating Demeter, the Greek goddess of harvest, and her daughter, Persephone.

The Carthaginians are worshipping Greek gods?! Yes. In Sicily, the Phoenician colonial city-states, which have deep ties between the Greek city-state and Carthage, have lived together for centuries, deepening their influence. Both goddesses, Demeter and Persephone, were not only popular with the Greeks in Sicily, but they were also gradually accepted by the Phoenicians, and even the Sicilians believed that Hades, the king of the underworld, had abducted Persephone in Sicily. This cultural influence also penetrated Carthage, where there were already temples of these two goddesses in Carthage. After the recklessness of Himilco's army, both goddesses became even more prominent among the Carthaginian gods and goddesses because when Himilco led his army to attack Syracuse, his solder looted the temples of these two goddesses on the southern slope of Epipolae. But soon after, a plague broke out in the Carthage's military camp, leading to their disastrous defeat. Therefore, the Carthaginians think that this is the punishment of the goddesses for their blasphemy. After all, Persephone is the queen of the underworld.

So the frightened Carthaginians even strongly urged the Senate to pass a decree for the mass praying of the two goddesses. To this end, they also specially visited the Greeks who settled in Carthage, assigned them to serve the two goddesses, especially Persephone. They even made it obligatory for the ceremony to be carried out in the Greek manner. And due to this religious ceremony, which continued year after year, the two Greek goddesses came to occupy an increasingly important place in the hearts of the Carthaginian citizens.