Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Chapter 701: Syracuses Choice

But after the Syracusan democrats regained power, Theagenes, Phalekus and Steisikus had learned their lesson and no longer set up a strange system of government with 25 strategoi as they had done before. Instead, they returned to the traditional democratic government of Syracuse, with ten strategoi, a council of one hundred and an ecclesia. They also continued some of the policies and laws implemented by Herolis while continuing to pay war reparations to Theonia.

Since Syracuse's defeat by Theonia, its political situation had been in turmoil, draining both the energy and enthusiasm of the population and leaving some elites disillusioned with Syracuse's prospects. Philoxenus, for example, had accepted an invitation from the Theonian Academy to teach at Thurii. Still, he had written several letters to King Davos asking him to reduce the war reparations Syracuse had to pay.

But Davos had only generously written off the war reparations in the eleventh year of the kingdom of Theonia.

Since then, Syracuse's political situation has gradually regained its stability and vitality. However, due to the previous turmoil, which severely damaged Syracuse's agriculture and trade, many freemen and merchants fled here, preferring the booming Catania.

So when the people of Syracuse opened their eyes and looked out, they realised with a start that Syracuse, once the dominant city in Sicily and the most powerful city in the western Mediterranean, could not even compare with Catania, a city in the kingdom of Theonia, their former enemy. Meanwhile, Syracuse's allied city-state, such as Kamarina, Gela, Agrigento and many other city-states, had already broken off their ties with Syracuse and instead went to please Theonia…

As the Syracusans reminisced about their former glory, they began to hate Theonia, the culprit, as most of the taxes Syracuse collected were used to pay for war reparations. Thus a strange development occurred in Sicily: While all the Greek city-states of Sicily tried to befriend the kingdom of Theonia, the people of Syracuse, from top to bottom, alienated themselves from their powerful neighbour. Besides refusing every invitation to Theonia's celebration, they would argue and clashes with Theonia's allies, Leontinoi and Taunis, over land issues on the border.

Carthage, of course, saw all this. And so they sent an envoy to Syracuse to persuade Syracuse to join the alliance against the Kingdom of Theonia.

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

In Syracuse's city hall, the ten Syracusan strategoi looked somewhat tense after the Carthaginian envoy left the meeting hall.

“I don't understand why there is suddenly a war even though Theonia and Carthage had maintained friendly relations for more than a decade?!” Siktas, a strategos from the port district, asked in confusion. In contrast to the people of Syracuse in other areas, the civilians of the port district still had a good impression of Theonia. After all, it was with Theonia's help that the civilians of the port district finally organised against Dionysius' tyranny and became a force to be reckoned with in Syracuse's political arena.

“It's clear, though! Carthage and Theonia only maintained friendly relations for over a decade because both needed time to regain their strength. Unfortunately, not only Sicily but also the entire western Mediterranean cannot accommodate two powerful forces. It used to be Carthage and us, Syracuse, and now we are replaced by Theonia…” Paronisus said in a low voice as if remembering Syracuse's older days. Although he had once served Dionysius as an official, he didn't join the war to crush the rebels after the riots because of the opposition of the sailors under him, allowing him to escape punishment. And in the battle to overthrow the murderer Andromachus, he fought bravely and made remarkable achievements, resulting in people recognising him and electing him as strategos for several times.

“Let's say Theonia and Carthage go to war. If that happens, it would be a great opportunity for us! Over the years, Theonia's influence on us in Syracuse had become too much, especially after they had occupied the city of Catania, Naxos and Sikuri. The freemen were much more willing to live in Catania and Naxos, the merchant ships preferred to trade in Catania, and the other city-states in Sicily liked interacting with them more. If things continue like this, when will we regain Syracuse's former glory?!” Supreme commander Theagenes clearly favour cooperating with Carthage against Theonia.

“But can Carthage defeat Theonia?” Kuchillas expressed his concern. After all, he had experienced the war that decided the Greek hegemon in the western Mediterranean more than a decade ago. He had also heard and seen the Theonian legion that landed in Sicily and defeated Macias' army of tens of thousands of soldiers.

“The Theonian army is indeed too powerful! Two years ago, they even easily defeated the Sikeloi, capturing a number of their towns! And now, the Sikeloi are like dogs around the Theonians.” Phalekus took over the conversation. As someone who had fought alongside the Theonian army to overthrow Dionysius' rule, he knew quite well about Theonia's strength. Likewise, he didn't support going against them, “Syracuse's strength is no longer the same as the past. Moreover, the Theonian cities and their friendly allies now surround us. As soon as we declare war on Theonia, they can attack us immediately. I am also sure that the Theonians are looking forward to us breaking the agreement so they can finally storm Syracuse and achieve their goal of unifying eastern Sicily!”

Silence descended in the hall. As the years passed, the strategoi learned that Syracuse could still exist independently because of the agreement between Carthage, Sparta and Theonia.

At this moment, Steisikus said deeply, “Everyone, If we don't provoke Theonia, will Theonia leave Syracuse alone? Once they defeated Carthage, could we maintain our independence?! No! We would be forced to join the Kingdom of Theonia, like Catania, Crotone and Locri, becoming a common city, losing the long history and splendour that made us proud! So I think that by helping Carthage, we are helping ourselves!”

Steisikus' words moved the other strategoi.

“Everyone, you may have only seen Theonia's might, but Carthage is just as powerful. Over the years, the Carthaginians conquered Numidia in Africa and also the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, holding even more land than the kingdom of Theonia. More than a decade ago, Carthage could muster an army of a hundred thousand men while at war with us! And today, they can do it even more easily!”

Theagenes continued convincing the other strategoi, “Don't forget that Rome, Carthage's ally, is also mighty and is on the verge of war with Theonia. The combination of Carthage and Rome is already too much for Theonia to handle, not to mention the Carthaginian envoy's words mentioning their other helpers…Now Theonia has fallen to Carthage's siege! So when are we going to act, if not now?!”

For decades the Syracusans had maintained close military and trade relations with the west coast of Italy, particularly with the Campanian League. Although the Campanian League has recently allied itself with Theonia, the reluctant Syracusans have kept their attention there. As a result, they have a better understanding of Rome's situation.

“More than a decade ago, Dionysius had also placed Theonia under heavy encirclement. But what was the result? We all know about it.” Siktas said lightly.

“It is different this time!” Theagenes glared at him and tried to continue his persuasion.

Siktas coldly said, “It is indeed different. After all, Theonia's territory is several times larger than it was over a decade ago, so its strength has increased many times.”

Hearing those words, Theagenes didn't know what to say for a moment.

Suddenly, Phalekus interjected after some thought, “I think it would be better if we do it this way: We shouldn't agree with the Carthaginians yet, lest we blindly put Syracuse in danger. But if Carthage does indeed declare war on Theonia and has a great advantage over them…then it would still not be too late for us to join them.”

“I agree.” Kuchillas immediately agreed, “This is the most sensible approach we can take!”

Soon, several other strategoi agreed, including Steisikus.

Theagenes could only nod helplessly, but inwardly he felt indignant since he was arguably the least powerful commander Syracuse had had in all its years. The other strategoi, some of whom had participated in the uprising against Dionysius, had deep camaraderie and many supporters. While the others represent particular groups. In contrast, he had since long lost his roots in the city after fleeing Syracuse. And having first provoked a rebellion against Herolis, which was crushed after Herolis' triumphant return, the people he had gathered to support him had left him.

The only reason Theagenes could still serve as the supreme commander for the last two years in a row, even without a strong backing, was that the citizens of Syracuse needed someone like him, with little power but a strong reputation, to balance the former comrades of the powerful Herolis, preventing dictatorship.

But the stubborn Theagenes believe he is the only one who can restore Syracuse to its former glory.