Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1254: VIPs at the Opening Ceremony

Iphicrates followed his friend's pointing finger, a sympathetic look on his face. "He must have only arrived in Thurii yesterday, which is why we didn't see him at the guesthouse. He really is quite pitiful. His son, who was severely wounded in the Greek War, succumbed to illness last year. And since those Spartans are nothing but muscle-bound fools, they can't outmaneuver the cunning perioikoi or the helots backed by Messelia and Arcadia in the New Sparta government. (Some of the Spartan helots previously migrated to the Tegea territory under Mantineia, forging strong ties with Mantineia, the leader of Arcadia.) That's why, even at nearly eighty years old, he still insists on attending the New Sparta assembly..."

Callistratus let out a sigh. "If he weren't constantly running about, we would have practically forgotten the Spartans by now. Truly an old man worthy of respect."

Agesilaus had no idea that two acquaintances were discussing him just a short distance away. He had only arrived yesterday because of an illness; the moment his health improved, he had ignored his doctor's advice and hurried to Thurii. How could he pass up such an excellent opportunity to meet with King Davos and secure a few concessions for the Spartans? Furthermore, it fulfilled a long-held wish: before drawing his last breath, he wanted to see Daionia with his own eyes—the kingdom he had spent decades scheming against.

Dusk had already fallen when his passenger ship arrived at the Port of Thurii yesterday. Completely exhausted, he had stepped ashore and immediately boarded a carriage sent by the Thurii City Hall specifically to escort VIPs. He fell asleep the moment he sat down, missing the chance to take in the sights of Thurii City.

Early this morning, when his guide led him into the Hades Main Arena, the massive structure left him thoroughly stunned—even though he had witnessed countless grand spectacles in his life. Gazing up from within, he felt like a frog at the bottom of a well, able to see only a small, circular patch of sky high above the towering walls. The deafening roar from the steadily filling stands washed over him, making him feel profoundly insignificant.

He had attended all four major athletic games on the Greek Mainland, and had even led troops to forcibly intervene in them on several occasions. Yet, this was his first time witnessing a venue of such imposing scale and majesty. He was carefully examining the unique architecture of the arena when a voice called out beside him: "Agesilaus! It is wonderful to see you."

Agesilaus looked back to find the current Boeotarch, Pelopidas. Standing beside him was another acquaintance deeply etched into Agesilaus's memory: Epaminondas.

Pelopidas wore a wide smile; Epaminondas maintained a calm expression but still offered a polite nod in greeting.

Agesilaus's cheek twitched. His face darkened as he replied coldly, "I am not happy to see you." With that, he turned his back on them, refusing to say another word.

The blunt response left Pelopidas slightly embarrassed. He gave a self-deprecating chuckle, shrugged at Epaminondas, and intentionally raised his voice: "You would think that since we're all in the same league now, he wouldn't still hold a grudge over the past."

"If you compare the current circumstances of the Thebans and the Spartans, it would be a miracle if he could just let it go," Epaminondas replied softly, full of understanding.

Before the Theban War, Sparta had been the undisputed hegemon of Greece. They had stationed garrisons in many city-states across Central Greece, including Thebes. Whenever Theban government officials went to meet with a Spartan garrison commander, they bowed and scraped like slaves before a master—and the ordinary citizens had it even worse.

Who could have predicted that, over twenty years later, the true Spartans would be driven to the brink of extinction? Thebes, on the other hand, enjoyed the robust backing of Daionia. Not only had they fully unified the entire Boeotia Region, but they had also poured resources into developing Oropus and their ports along the Gulf of Corinth. This boom in maritime trade with Daionia had thoroughly shored up Boeotia's weaknesses, elevating them to the second-largest power within the Greek League. (The preeminent power was, of course, the Sacred Kingdom of Daunia. After Athens dissolved the Maritime Alliance and lost its subordinate states, it fell behind the Boeotian League in both landmass and citizen population. While Athens still boasted a larger overall population and a more advanced commercial sector, Thebes's close ties with Daionia led most of the Greek populace to view Boeotia as the stronger of the two.) This massively amplified their voice within the league and caused the standing of the Thebans across the Greek Mainland to skyrocket.

The tides of fortune had completely turned; the status of Sparta and Thebes was now entirely reversed.

"That is certainly true!" Pelopidas laughed heartily.

In the row ahead of them, Agesilaus found the laughter incredibly grating, but he could only pretend he hadn't heard it.

"Sit down, don't block the people behind us," Epaminondas reminded him. He felt his friend's petty retaliation against Agesilaus was entirely unnecessary. Epaminondas was a tranquil, unambitious man by nature. Ever since the New Greek League was established and Thebes unified the Boeotia Region, he had voluntarily resigned from all his official posts. If Daionia's formal invitation to the Boeotian League hadn't specifically requested his attendance, he would likely still be living a quiet, secluded life at home.

Pelopidas took his seat, looking around the venue with keen interest. "Daionia's invitation promised a truly unprecedented athletic event," he said excitedly. "And I have to say, this arena alone is extraordinary. None of the Greek city-states, not even Thebes, possess the capability to build something like this!"

"Indeed," Epaminondas agreed with a sigh. "Do you remember when we were young and went to watch the Corinthian Games, only to see the Daionian athletes get expelled? Who among us could have predicted that the same Daionia, humiliated in front of an entire stadium, would become the undisputed hegemon of Greece a mere two decades later? And now, they are the ones inviting city-states and nations from all across the Mediterranean Sea to participate in their own games!"

"Now that you mention it, that reminds me of something," Pelopidas said, his tone half-joking, half-serious. "I heard that even after Daionia took leadership of the Greek League, their non-Greek athletes still faced discrimination from the Greek populace at the various traditional games. Supposedly, it was out of sheer frustration over this that the Daionian king decided to establish these games and open the doors to every race across the Mediterranean Sea. Now that is the true magnanimity of a great state! Quite unlike our stubborn, conservative, and petty Greek city-states!"

"Do these stubborn Greek city-states you're referring to include our very own Thebes and the Boeotian League?" Epaminondas asked mildly.

Pelopidas ignored the question. Pointing a short distance away, he gloated, "Look over there. That's General Cleonion of Corinth! I wonder what is going through his mind as he sits in this arena. Do you think he's terrified that the Theonian Rugby Games will overshadow the Corinthian Games and become the most popular event among the Greek people?"

"Corinth isn't the only one worrying. I suspect Elis and Delphi are just as anxious. Look, their envoys are sitting right over there!" a voice chimed in from beside them.

Epaminondas immediately stood up. "Lycomedes, good morning!"

"Good morning, Pelopidas, Epaminondas! It is wonderful to be seated with you both!" Lycomedes waved his ticket and pointed down at the engraved numbers on the stone bench. He sighed with deep admiration. "Upon arriving in Thurii, what truly amazed me wasn't the sheer size or prosperity of the city, but the fact that there are so many people here, yet everything is managed with such perfect order! It's clear that Daionia's officials handle the governance of their state with extraordinary diligence and attention to detail.

"Just think about it. Even the stadium entrances—each marked with a number corresponding to the ticket—the stone steps equipped with wooden handrails to prevent falls, and the individual seats are all designed with such meticulous care. It ensures that even with a massive crowd pouring into the arena, there isn't the slightest bit of chaos. This level of fine-tuned management clearly permeates every single aspect of their citizens' daily lives..."

"You are absolutely right. Think back to the traditional games; when has there ever been a time when the spectators didn't end up brawling over seats? As the mother states of these traditions, we shouldn't just feel ashamed; we should swallow our pride and learn from Daionia!" Pelopidas declared earnestly. He then made a polite, sweeping gesture. "Please, Lycomedes, take a seat!"

Following the Greek War, the city-state on the Greek Mainland that had reaped the greatest benefits wasn't Thebes, but Mantineia. Not only had they acquired the fertile lands originally belonging to Tegea, but with Daionia's staunch support, they had also established the Arcadian League, anchored by Mantineia itself. This turned them into a formidable power on the mainland in their own right.

Pelopidas had once confided his envy to Epaminondas in private: "To establish the Boeotian League, our Thebes fought a bitter war against Sparta for years and sacrificed so many of our people. Meanwhile, Mantineia accomplished the exact same goal with ease, simply because they had the good fortune to align themselves with Daionia during the Greek War. Apollo truly plays favorites!"

Nevertheless, Pelopidas—who possessed a cheerful exterior but a deeply proud heart—showed genuine, heartfelt respect for Lycomedes. This was because Lycomedes was not only the first to propose the concept of the Arcadian League, but he had also spent years campaigning tirelessly to make it a reality. His dedication had earned him the position of Speaker of the Arcadian League for five consecutive years (the highest office in the league's assembly, which could only be held by a citizen of Mantineia).

"I overheard you mentioning that Daionia is hosting an unprecedented set of athletic games..."