Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

Chapter 737: Incident in Thebes (I)

Despite being attacked from both sides, the Carthaginians could have held their ground with their numbers or even counter-attacked. Unfortunately, some of them could barely contain the fear in their hearts as they turned and fled, draining the courage from the entire army and causing the soldiers to break up and escape in swarms to the west.

But after escaping the Platani and reaching their camp, they became frightened when they saw the enemy occupying their camp. At that moment, they no longer dared to recapture the camp, and since the camp blocked their shortcut to escape to the west of Sicily via the coastal road, they had to flee straight into the mountains not far away instead. However, they forgot the Sikelois were not far behind them and that the Sikeloi could move freely since the mountains were their territory.

After occupying the Carthaginian camp, the Theonian allied army didn't stop there. On the contrary, the energetic cavalry, light-armoured, and light infantry continued to pursue the routed enemy westwards along the coastal road, and it was only after the Theonians captured the town of Thermae at dusk did they call off the pursuit.

Then the messenger sent by Leotychides arrived with orders for the troops to temporarily remain in the city of Thermae to monitor the enemy's movements in the west.

The Theonian cavalry, light-armoured and light infantry, then took turns bathing in the hot springs in the evening.

The war, which began when soldiers from both sides took a bath in the river and eventually developed into a decisive battle between the two armies, resulted in the defeat of the Carthaginians, who lost more than half their original force of forty-six thousand men. The Sacred Band suffered the most, with only over two thousand of their ten thousand men managing to escape back to Selinus, most of them seriously wounded or killed in the battle. On the other hand, even though the Carthaginian citizen soldiers who attacked the enemy camp didn't suffer too many casualties, the Sikeloi's constant attacks as they fled into the mountains left many of them wounded, disoriented and surrendering until less than half of the soldiers managed to make it back to Selinus. Then for the six thousand Numidian cavalries who had come to reinforce the Sacred Band, the chaos of the Platani River had once again become a painful memory. Finally, the ones to suffer the fewest casualties were the Numidian cavalry and soldiers attacking the southern camp, who only suffered minor losses on their escape, with most of them managing to flee back to Selinus.

On the other side, the Theonian Allied Army had suffered less than three thousand casualties, with the Eighth Legion and Reserves losing more than a thousand men. However, Leotychides still felt pained despite the low number of casualties.

Either way, it was a brilliant victory! This victory had exceeded not only Leotychides' expectations but also those of their allies in Sicily. As the news spread, the people of Theonia's territory in Sicily, as well as their allies and friendly city-states, became much more confident in the prospect of war. Conversely, this victory shook the Carthaginians' confidence in the war while deterring the surrounding hostile forces.

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Meanwhile, the Spartans were the happiest when news of the war between Carthage and Theonia reached Greece.

At present, Sparta has managed to take firm control of the Peloponnesian Peninsula, while in northern Greece, Macedonia and the city-states of the Chalkidiki League, having been taught a lesson by Sparta, have become obedient to Sparta. Then Sparta gradually began to increase their control over central Greece, and even Sparta's former arch-enemies, such as Athens, Argos, Corinth…and so on., remained still.

Thus the Spartans thought they had regained control of Greece. Unfortunately, there was a bone stuck in their throat, and that was the secret visit of the Delphic priest to the kingdom of Theonia, which the Delphic priests close to Sparta secretly revealed.

Although the Delphic priests didn't make any waves and Theonia rejected their proposals, the Spartans were still wary of Theonia's involvement in Greece. Moreover, they remembered that Theonia's threat had forced them to sign a treaty of friendship with Theonia and then had to renew it again, which was a great disgrace to the arrogant Spartans. So when they heard that the kingdom of Theonia was at war and that the enemy was Carthage, which was no less powerful than they were, it was natural for the Spartans to be overjoyed. Thus the Gerousia, including King Agesilaus, thought the time had come for their revenge.

For several days, the Gerousia considered whether to break their agreement with Theonia, as Carthage had done, on the pretext of supporting the restoration of the Messapi and Peuceti nobles (Sparta had taken in some refugees from these two races), and to send troops to land in the Messapi region, not far from the Peloponnese, to intervene in the independence of the Messapi, Peuceti and Dauni, and to provoke civil strife in the kingdom of Theonia…

Eventually, everyone reached an agreement. But the next question was when they should send the troops.

Some of the elders, led by King Agesipolis, felt that they should send their warriors at once so as not to give the Theonians a chance to breathe.

On the other hand, the elders, led by Agesilaus, felt that with the war just beginning, they should calmly and carefully observe the situation before deciding. Otherwise, prematurely intervening would just make them the focus of the Theonian army's attack.

But suddenly, a major event in the north had shaken Sparta, forcing its elders to stop bickering and focus on Thebes.

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At night, in the city of Thebes, Phyllidas, a scribe of a military archon, prepared a grand banquet. He invited the two military archons elected this year, Archias and Philip, telling them he would present some beautiful women of noble birth.

And since they were still single and eager for love, they happily agreed to participate.

Phyllidas also invited some of his friends, so the banquet was quite lively as everyone drank happily.

But in the middle of the banquet, a messenger burst in with a letter for Archias from one of the city officials. The messenger told Archias that the letter was of great importance and that he must open it and read it immediately.

When Phyllidas heard that, he begone to feel uneasy, so he winked at his friend beside Archias, who immediately understood him. He then said discontentedly, “Archias, aren't you tired of discussing official matters, even though we finally have a rare moment to indulge ourselves and have fun?!” And the others echoed.

Since Archias couldn't open the letter right away and was still looking forward to meeting the beautiful woman, he waved at the messenger and said, “Let's discuss official matters tomorrow.” After tucking the letter under the cushions, Archias asked, slightly drunk, “Phyllidas, where are the beautiful women you spoke about?”

Phyllidas looked around and then said, while feigning embarrassment, “They are staying in the next room, but as there are so many people here, they dare not show themselves until all the guests have left.”

Philip then gave an ambiguous smile, saying, “They still know how to act shy!”

Phyllidasdeliberately scowled as he said, “Of course they are. After all, they are genuine refined city girls! Not some random woman from a brothel!”

Upon hearing this, Archias grew restless as he felt the urge to bring the banquet to an end. In contrast, the other guests booed in discontent.

After another drink, the guests began to leave one by one, leaving only two drunken military archons.

Finally, the girls entered, dressed in white chiton, draped in himation and still wearing their veils, and approached the two Archons in a reserved manner.

But when the two archons hurriedly removed their veils, the ‘girls’ drew the daggers hidden in their waists and stabbed them in the chest, killing Archias and Philip instantly.

Then one of the ‘girls’ took off her veil, which turned out to be Pelopidas.

After the exiles from Thebes fled to Athens, the Athenians supported them in good faith, stationing them on the border and providing them with food and weapons.

The Theban exiles were determined to follow in the footsteps of the famous Athenian democrat Thrasybulus, who had overthrown the Thirty Tyrants. So, after quickly organising an army in Athens, they marched into Boeotia to overthrow the oppressive pro-Spartan rule and regain the independence of their city-state.

But they forgot that Thebes was not the same as Athens and that they were facing not only the army organised by their enemy but also the Spartan army occupying Cadmeia. Moreover, several city-states in the Boeotian region, such as Plataea, Thespiae, etc., were puppets of Sparta, so their army was routed even before they could reach Thebes.

After that, the Theban exiles organised two more military operations, which all ended up disastrous.

Having suffered considerable casualties and, more frighteningly, lost their confidence, the Exiles discussed and agreed that the Spartans were now too strong and had even taken control of Boeotia. Since they were not strong enough to retake Thebes, they decided to hide, build their strength and wait for a good opportunity.

Most of them agreed, with only young Pelopidas disagreeing. He firmly believed they shouldn't expect favourable changes in the external situation because the future was unpredictable. Therefore, they had to take the initiative and take their fate into their own hands.

So he suggested that instead of taking military action, they should plot to retake Thebes, such as sending someone to assassinate the head of the pro-Spartan faction in the city. And once the enemy lost control of the situation, chaos would ensue, giving the exiles the opportunity they sought.

But many opposed his proposal because they thought it was too risky.