Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece

“I have read Plato's 《Republic》, and he is truly a great scholar. When reading the 《Republic》, I was shocked at the description of various city-states' regimes and the idea of an ideal city-state!” Phaestokiadas' heartfelt praise made the youths look at him kindly. However, he continued, “But Theonia's Akademia would soon invite him.”

‘What?!’ The students were shocked. Some looked at Plato hurriedly, while others shouted in disbelief, “You are lying!”

“Calm down, my students! What's the use of learning so much knowledge when jealousy and uneasiness blinded you and prevented you from thinking rationally!” Plato's reprimand made the youth feel ashamed.

He turned to Phaestokiadas and said, “Knowledge is for you to improve yourself and observe the world, not to show off!”

Phaestokiadas shuddered at Plato's words that he quickly and frankly admitted his mistake, “You are right; it's my fault!”

Plato's expression softened as he raised the letter and asked, “I would like to know who proposed this ‘All-Greek Academic Symposium’ mentioned in the letter. How would it be conducted? Who have you invited?”

After getting scolded by Plato, Phaestokiadas didn't dare to not answer. After thinking carefully, he replied. “Due to the kingdom of Theonia holding the 《Magna Graecia Medical Symposium》 every year, Metotikles, the head of the Institue of Mathematics, founded the 《Magna Graecia Mathematical Assembly》, followed by the 《History Convention》 held by teacher Ansitanos…after the arrival of teacher Gorgias, he also proposed to hold the 《Philosophy Seminar》. After learning this, King Davos thought about how many scholars were proficient in many disciplines of knowledge. Besides being repetitive and time-consuming, it is inefficient to have academic gatherings for the various subjects in the kingdom. Moreover, the scope of invited scholars was too narrow as they were mainly inviting those in Italia and Sicily. Thus, King Davos proposes to create an 《All-Greek Academic Symposium》, inviting famous scholars from all over Greece to participate in it, exchange knowledge, and discuss the mysteries of nature and mankind together.

I remember his majesty once said something that would circulate widely in our Akademia. He said, ‘Sparks of wisdom arise in collisions, and the truth becomes clearer as the more you argue.’”

After Phaestokiadas said that, Plato's eyes brightened as he became interested.

Phaestokiadas continued, “As far as I know, there will be two parts to the Symposium. One part is the scholars giving lectures on one or more subjects according to their field of knowledge, which many students, visitors and even scholars would attend. The other part will be a debate among scholars, also allowing a few students to observe and ask questions…

This time, we sent messengers to invite all famous Greek scholars. I don't exactly know which scholars those are, but at least I know we would invite Antisthenes, Isocrates, and Theaetetus, as I would be delivering the invitations to them.”

Plato frowned a bit at the mention of Antisthenes.

Speusippus, who was beside him, asked sharply, “Can we also attend this All-Greek Academic Symposium…in Theonia?!”

Phaestokiadas smiled and said, “Of course. Theonia welcomes all youths throughout Greece who loves, respect and desire knowledge to go to Thurii to participate in this academic event!”

Speaking until here, he respectfully asked Plato, “Have you decided?”

Plato nodded and said, while stroking his beard, “I have long wanted to visit the kingdom of Theonia with its unique political system. Since this is a good opportunity, I will be there on time!”

After getting a definite answer and the reply written by Plato, Phaestokiadas immediately took off the baggage on his shoulder and placed it on the stone bench. As he opened it, they could hear a clattering sound as countless silver coins showed up.

Seeing Plato's surprised gaze, Phaestokiadas said thoughtfully, “His majesty Davos always said that knowledge is priceless, and the time and energy of scholars are precious. Thus we would like to give you these 500 drachmae of the kingdom of Theonia as payment for your attendance at this symposium, which also includes your expenses for your return trip to Athens; please do accept them!

Once you arrive in Thurii, the Theonian Akademia will arrange your accommodation and food so that you don't have to worry about it. Also…please make sure you take this letter of invitation with you when you go to Thurii so that in case Sparta or another city-state's ship intercept you, you would only need to show them this letter, and they would let you go since we already communicated with these city-states beforehand…”

“You are so thorough!” Plato sighed when he heard his words. It seems that Theonia was aware of his previous encounters for them to give such a special service.

Spartan ships intercepted him when Plato was travelling through Syracuse six years ago, and the Spartan strategos, who hated Athenians, captured the famous Athenian scholar and sold him as a slave. If not for his friends immediately rescuing him, he would still be digging in some mine…and this terrible experience made him wary of going to the western Mediterranean. Furthermore, most Athenians had publicly cursed Theonia as traitors* when the news of the ‘Theonia-Sparta treaty’ reached Athens. And that also affected Plato's thoughts and made him not travel to this most powerful kingdom in the western Mediterranean until now. (Since it was the Athenians' initiative that the old Thurii was built, the Athenians thought that Theonia should be supportive of Athens.)

But this time, he can finally make up for this regret…

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

The five rotating speakers of the Senate, the minister of finance, Mersis, and the grand inspector, Sesta, gathered in the king's office in the palace of Theonia.

Davos looked at them and said solemnly, “I had invited you over as there are a few important things I want to discuss with you in advance. At the start of this year, some of you attended the kingdom's Senate Assembly and the Tribunal Conference, and those who didn't should have heard about…many local council members and tribunal officers complaining about the statesmen receiving gifts from citizens and foreigners, especially the statesmen who served as praetor. They also repeatedly mentioned Pollux's treason case and the current Ladician case and hoped that we would do something about it, and I promised them that I would make changes in this matter, and it is now the time to keep my promise! What do you think of this?”

Everyone looked at each other with serious expressions, as most did not expect Davos to gather them today to discuss this thorny issue.

After a moment of silence, Cornelius, as the foremost figure in the Senate after Kunogelata's death, stood up first and spoke, “Your majesty, it was the right and an obligation of citizens of the kingdom to hold a public position since Theonia's foundation, so they initially didn't have any salary. But currently, the middle and lower-ranking officials, the labourers who transported provisions, the jailers who watched the criminals, and even the sentries who guarded the fortress are all getting paid. However, the statesmen are still the only ones who don’t receive a salary in the kingdom. And because this is a noble position, the statesmen should serve the whole kingdom and citizens and shouldn't be fussy about not receiving salaries like those low-ranking officials.

However…I still remember when we first established the union: The Senate would only hold a meeting every fifth day if there were no major events, so they still had days to take care of their fields with their slaves. But now that the kingdom has become so big and has so many affairs, we are almost gathering in the Grand Senate Hall daily to hold meetings, discuss the kingdom's affairs, and pass bills. Thus we no longer have the time and energy to increase the income of our households. Although the Theonian Law states that statesmen would receive land every time we acquire land during a war, the income from them is, after all, limited and often affected by the climate and soil. Moreover, many statesmen who didn't know how to manage their household had to live a life worse than the bottom officials…”

“Do you mean it is reasonable for statesmen to receive gifts?” Asked Davos in a calm tone.

Cornelius became so nervous that he couldn't reply for a moment.

“Your majesty, Lord Cornelius is telling the truth,” Lysias interjected and defended Cornelius. He then continued, “Although the position of a statesman is noble, they are also human and have desires. They also want to be able to eat good food, drink fine wine and wear magnificent clothes. Wealth certainly doesn't reflect a person's nobility, but imagine when statesmen living in distress meet a wealthy merchant dressed in magnificent chiton, wearing fine jewellery and followed by more than five slaves; who would the people think is more like a statesman in their eyes?

Ladician was so popular among the statesmen because he was generous with his money and often invited other statesmen to a banquet…and that's also why a lot vied for the position of praetor whenever there was a vacancy. After all, they would have more opportunities to receive gifts from the locals to increase their income when they serve as praetors, allowing them to live like wealthy citizens of Theonia.”

“Does wanting to live a luxurious life justify accepting gifts from foreign envoys and outsiders so that we would speak up for them at the Senate meeting?! Your majesty, Ladician is just unlucky; however, it is not uncommon to see some people in the Senate who disregard the kingdom's interest, giving out proposals that are entirely unfavourable to the kingdom, and seeking benefits for foreigners! I have long felt that we should have solved these problems. Since the public outcry is so great this time, we can take this opportunity to put an end to bribery and punish those statesmen who violated it!” Sesta, the grand inspector, suggested with a serious expression.