Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 915: The Carthage-Syracuse Alliance

"You might be willing, but it depends on whether Daionia is!" Mago sneered. "I might not know much about Daionia, but I do know they despise treaty breakers. Tarentum ultimately had to become a... well, a free city of Daionia, and the Samnites are still at war with them. Yet Syracuse took advantage of Daionia's war with Carthage to secretly occupy Camarina and Pachynus. I highly doubt the Daionians will forget that easily! Even if our offensive keeps them from dealing with you right now, they will take their revenge in the future!"

Theagenes faltered for a moment before quickly defending himself. "Pachynus and Camarina are not Daionia's allies, nor did they sign any treaties with them. On the contrary, they have always been Syracuse's allies. We didn't occupy them; we merely renewed our alliance."

His tone hardened. "I believe Daionia can understand our actions. Even if they cannot at the moment, we will do everything in our power to become their ally, even if it means accepting harsh conditions. If Carthage intends to destroy Syracuse, we obviously have no choice but to survive!"

Mago's eyes widened, his glare sharp as a blade.

Theagenes met his stare head-on, refusing to back down.

The atmosphere inside the large tent grew tense.

After a long while, Mago finally spoke again. "Carthage and Syracuse have been at odds for decades. The hatred runs too deep. The terms of our previous agreements alone aren't enough for me to confidently lead my army against Catana while exposing our backs to you Syracusans."

Mago's bluntness left Theagenes at a loss for an immediate response. As he weighed his next words, Mago impatiently continued, "If Syracuse wants an alliance with Carthage, you must meet the following conditions. First, dispatch your army to assist Carthage in fighting the Daionians. Second, deploy your navy to engage the Daunian Navy and escort Carthaginian transport ships. Third, open your ports to Carthaginian vessels. Fourth, allow the Carthaginian Army to station within Syracusan territory. Fifth, provide material aid to our forces... If Syracuse can do all this, Carthage will forge an alliance with you under the witness of Baal Hammon. We will maintain long-term peace after the war and formally recognize Camarina and Pachynus as Syracusan allies, free from any infringement."

Though the harsh demands made Theagenes frown, he sensed Mago's genuine willingness to form an alliance. Rousing his spirits, he launched into negotiations.

By the second day, the two sides reached an agreement. The treaty stipulated: Syracuse must organize an army and launch an offensive against Daionia from the direction of Taunis. The Syracusan Fleet must strike at opportune moments to threaten Daionian ships traveling from Catana to the Southern Coast, preventing them from easily sailing to Selinus or the western waters. Once the Carthaginian Fleet arrived, Syracuse had to coordinate with them in combat. The Carthaginian Army would be allowed to construct camps within Syracusan territory but was strictly forbidden from destroying property, looting, or harming the Syracusans. If the Carthaginian Army faced supply shortages, Syracuse was obligated to provide aid, for which Carthage would pay double compensation later. Neither ally was permitted to secretly declare a truce or make peace with the enemy during the war. Upon victory, Carthage would allow Taunis, Leontini, Camarina, and Pachynus to become subordinate allies of Syracuse...

Theagenes reasoned that since direct conflict with Daionia was inevitable, having the Syracusan Army attack from Taunis was the safest option. The narrow coastline there would prevent them from being flanked and encircled by the Daionian Army. Furthermore, acquiring Taunis and Leontini after the war would not only expand Syracuse's sphere of influence but place it at the center of those city-states, creating a buffer zone so they would not have to directly face threats from other powers... The agreement essentially achieved his negotiating goals.

For Mago and Bomilcar, their concessions stemmed from a longer-term calculation. Even if Carthage drove the Daionians out of Sicily, the Kingdom of Daionia—occupying all of southern Italy—would still possess formidable strength and could launch a comeback at any time. The capital of Carthage lay far away in Africa, sometimes too distant to respond swiftly. Having a relatively strong ally like Syracuse stationed on the front lines to delay any Daionian counteroffensive would buy Carthage vital preparation time.

Before leaving, Theagenes suggested that Mago have the Carthaginian Army posture as if they were marching on Syracuse. That would make it easier to push the alliance treaty through the Council.

Mago agreed.

When Theagenes returned to Syracuse with the drafted treaty, it predictably provoked fierce opposition from many Council members. Some directly attacked him, claiming that while he preached about restoring Syracuse's former glory, he was actually selling out their interests to Carthage—an act of treason!

Theagenes defended himself by using modern Sparta as an example. He argued that Sparta and Persia had also been bitter enemies for decades, yet during the Corinthian War, Sparta set aside its hatred to ally with Persia. Now, Sparta reigned as the hegemon of the Greek Mainland. Syracuse could do the very same.

The Syracusans ultimately agreed to sign the treaty—not just swayed by Theagenes's arguments, but more importantly, pressured by the looming threat of the Carthaginian Army. They did, however, add one final clause: the Carthaginian Army could only enter Syracusan territory after the autumn harvest.

It was already September, and the harvest would end in just a few days anyway. Mago agreed to the extra demand and set his initial sights on Hena instead.

...

Within the Kingdom of Daionia, which was still embroiled in war—especially in Magna Graecia—the citizens did not seem burdened by anxiety. On the contrary, as September arrived and the fields turned a sea of gold, the joy on their faces never faded. Last year's drought had made everyone intimately familiar with the threat of starvation, making them cherish this year's bountiful harvest all the more.

From Catania in the south to Lusenia in the north, entire families—men and women, young and old—worked together. They sang cheerful folk songs as they harvested their wheat fields. Ministry of Agriculture officials could also be seen in various cities, supervising the kingdom's slaves as they helped reap the wheat for families left short-handed by the men marching off to war.

While the Daionians toiled in the fields, the incense at the Temples of Demeter burned at its peak. From dawn to dusk, an endless stream of citizens came to make offerings, thanking the earth goddess for her protection.

September didn't just bring the wheat harvest; many fruits had ripened as well, especially the olives so vital to the Greeks. The hills grew lively as people used long wooden poles to beat the fruit-laden trees. Olives rained down to be gathered into wooden baskets, then sent to the presses or laid out to dry in the sun...

Offerings and rituals for Athena also increased during this time.

The joy of the citizens naturally spread to the kingdom's Senators. The food crisis that had plagued them since the drought and the outbreak of war was finally easing. This brought a massive sigh of relief to the Senators, resulting in a relatively relaxed atmosphere during today's Senate session.

"His Majesty's letter, received today, informs us that our army has occupied Antium. The war in Latium will likely end within a month," Vespa, the Rotating Chairman, said from the center of the hall with a broad smile. "Also, you have all heard that His Majesty rejected our proposal to suspend this year's Rugby championship due to the war. He demands it be held as usual. Do any of you lords have objections?"

After a brief murmur of discussion, Cornelius stood up. "We originally made that proposal because the kingdom is simultaneously fighting three wars. A massive number of citizens have been drafted for combat, and officials in every city are working intensely to support these campaigns. The kingdom's Rugby championship is a grand festival. It not only requires tremendous energy and coordination across various departments, but it also demands strict security and good order.

"Under the current circumstances, we worried that our officials simply wouldn't have the energy left to properly organize the festival. It might even invite sabotage from enemy states. The chaos during the Festival of Hades over ten years ago serves as a grim lesson!"

"Lord Cornelius is right. That was our thinking as well," several Senators immediately chimed in.

Cornelius coughed lightly and continued, "However, His Majesty's vision looks much further ahead. The wars have dragged on for nearly a year, and the conflict with Carthage will continue. If we remain in a state of war for too long, the citizens will grow increasingly anxious and fearful, ultimately turning to war-weariness. That would severely impact our push for final victory. Therefore, at this critical juncture, a grand festival will demonstrate the kingdom's absolute confidence in victory. It will dispel their worries so that, after enjoying the festivities, they will more enthusiastically support this war that will decide the hegemon of the western Mediterranean! Thus, I fully support His Majesty's decision!"

Watching Cornelius shakily take his seat, some Senators silently cursed:

Just then, the Scepter Priest Praxinas stood up and declared loudly, "His Majesty's decision is absolutely correct! I disagreed when you first made this proposal, and I will state it here again solemnly: the kingdom's Rugby championship is no ordinary competition. Ever since Hades became the patron god of the Kingdom of Daionia, the rugby games have been the most vital part of the Festival of Hades, held to please the great god. The championship has continued uninterrupted all these years, and the kingdom has never suffered a single defeat in war—a result of His Majesty's brilliance and the blessings of Hades. If we suddenly halted the games now and provoked Hades's wrath, who among you would bear the consequences?!"