athens
A fleet of battleships and sea-going ships was sailing on the sea. Pei Ziyun stood on the deck of the battleship and watched from a distance.
"Prince Paris, we will arrive in Athens soon." A captain came to report.
"Well, tell them to be ready to dock."
After that, he said to Gesne: "When you get to the shore, go and check. I heard that there are monsters raging in Athens. I don't know if they have been solved."
"Yes, Prince."
As soon as I finished speaking, I could vaguely see the outline of the port. Looking at the sea and sky in the distance, the silver-white beach shone in the reflection of the sun.
The fleet slowly docked at the seaport of Barrieus. At this time, Pei Ziyun came out wearing a white tunic, leather armor, leather wristbands, leather hem, a bronze belt around his waist, and a short sword hanging on the belt.
At the port of Barrius, a group of soldiers lined up, and a young man came up to them and said enthusiastically: "Prince Paris, welcome to your coming from afar."
"The great king has sent me to greet you. Please get in the car."
Pei Ziyun looked at the young man and knew that the king he was talking about was Menastheus, the grandson of Erechtheus. He successfully drove out and killed the hero Theseus, inherited the throne of his ancestors, and came to power. King of Athens.
Although the force is not very strong, it should not be underestimated!
Thinking about it, he got on the chariot. The chariot was pulled by four horses. The young man drove the chariot himself. With a flick of the reins, the chariot started and headed towards Athens.
Athens is one of the prosperous cities, facing the sea on three sides, with few plains and many mountains, making it inconvenient to develop animal husbandry. However, it has good maritime transportation, so it sails for commercial trade, mostly with Asia Minor.
Pei Ziyun looked carefully and saw the Acropolis at first sight.
Athens originally means "city on high places" or "city-state on high hills". The Acropolis is the center of Athens. It is built on a stone mountain 150 meters above sea level. There is a temple here and it is also a fortress for refuge and defense during wartime.
"The Parthenon is right up there!" Pei Ziyun glanced at it and then turned closer. The farmland outside the city was divided into pieces, and there were drainage ditches between the fields. He couldn't help but nodded lightly.
I thought to myself: "Land rotation has been implemented, and water conservancy and irrigation are relatively complete, but there is not much land."
"Even for the citizens of Athens, the richest family only has an income of 500 wheat buckets. This will be the focus of Solon's reforms in the future!"
Solon determined citizenship based on property. The first level, with more than 500 wheat dou, is called the "five hundred wheat dou level", and can serve as the country's consuls and treasurers; the second level, with more than 300 wheat dou, is called the "knight level", and they can serve as governors and treasurers. The country's governors; the third level, with an annual income of more than 200 maitou, is called the "oxbow level", and they can only serve as low-level officials; the fourth level, with an annual income of less than 200 maitou, is collectively called the "daily servant level". They have nothing to do with the country. All official positions were missed.
"This proves the lack of land. The largest landowner only has 500 wheat buckets. One wheat bucket is equivalent to about 52.3 kilograms. This is similar to the extremely fertile land outside the city where lush olives, grapes, and wheat grow in Troy. sharp contrast."
"Business can build a country, but it cannot dominate."
"The location of Athens determines that it cannot truly dominate, because its population and food are too dependent on external imports."
When I was thinking about it, I had already entered the city. The city was paved with stone roads. The Athenians walking along the road all had black hair and black eyes. The blond hair was not a species of the original Greeks.
The men wear white robes and have beards, while the women wear buns and tie them with brightly colored ribbons. The rich ones decorate their forehead ribbons with a gem, and they all avoid and bow when they see the chariot.
Looking again, the squares, synagogues, arenas and theaters flashed by one by one. Pei Ziyun couldn't help but admire: "It is really a great city."
"Thank you for your compliment, Prince Paris." The young man driving the car was very happy, pointed and said, "Look, the palace is here."
athens royal palace
After getting off the chariot and entering, the palace has thick palace walls, gates and columns, all covered with grapevines. Two corridors separate the left and right columns, leading to many palace rooms and tree-lined avenues.
When Pei Ziyun was led forward, he saw several palaces, including several statues in front of the hall and a middle-aged man on the steps.
Pei Ziyun stepped forward, saluted, and said: "Thank you very much, King Menastheus. Thank you for your warm welcome. Please allow me to offer you a gift!"
The servant immediately served it, but it was not too heavy, a little heavier than usual - otherwise Prince Paris would have a reputation of taking advantage of others.
"Oh, you must be Prince Paris. In the past two months, your reputation has spread throughout Greece." After saying that, the middle-aged man gave Pei Ziyun a warm hug and entered the hall hand in hand. There were many people in the hall. Not many, the king invited many people from Athens to attend today's banquet.
The midday sun illuminates the mural. Zeus is in the clouds, surrounded by the gods, each holding a golden cup and drinking from it.
Please take a seat, and the servants serve delicious food and wine. During the dinner, a group of dancers are dancing happily and passionately, and the troubadours are singing beautiful poems.
Pei Ziyun felt the enthusiasm of King Menastheus, and the nobles whispered at the banquet that they quite admired Prince Paris.
"Do you understand the purpose of Prince Paris's trip?"
"I heard that it was for Hesione, the sister of King Priam of Troy, and was ready to be redeemed."
"But Salamis refused last time."
"We brought the fleet with us this time, which shows that we have second-hand preparations. Does Troy want to take it back this time?"
"It's natural to snatch her back, because it was Heracles who captured the city of Troy in the beginning, snatched Hesione away, and gave her to Telamon as his wife - it was all robbery."
At this point in time, no one thinks this is wrong. This is too common in this era. Some people said: "Hercules is a great hero, can Prince Paris compare to him?"
"Prince Paris is not bad either. He killed the sea monster and the two-headed lizard, and defeated the Amazons. This time he went to Greece and won competitions in many city-states."
"Moreover, Hercules is dead, and Eurystheus, king of Argos, can take revenge on his descendants, who are now said to have escaped from Mycanen and gone to Trachis in the hope of gaining possession of King Kyuc Si’s protection.”
After hearing these words, Pei Ziyun understood that the descendants of Hercules would participate in the Trojan War, so he smiled, stood up and said: "King Menastheus, I am grateful for your hospitality, and I want to offer you A song.”
With that said, with a wave of his hand, the servant took the delicate harp and tuned the strings.
Prince Paris was already good at playing the piano. The sound was so beautiful that it could intoxicate the sea ships. Now he was even more perfect. Pei Ziyun smiled and pressed the strings.
Suddenly, music flowed out, playing with different emotions from the beginning, taking people back to their youth under the guidance.
The young man embarked on a journey with a dream in mind.
Laughter, tears, pretentiousness, pain, all kinds of hardships and setbacks, as well as the joy of success, everyone was deeply attracted by the timbre of Prince Paris' fingertips.
The timbre of Prince Paris changed magnificently, seeming to unfold the vast sea, rolling mountains, ancient temples, green olive groves, heroes fighting monsters, philosophers debating each other, bards singing melodiously, and nobles hunting vigorously. .
If it weren't for the King's Hall, many people would be jumping up and down, which is exactly how they used to be.
There is no sadness in the tune, but it is soon replaced by excitement. It seems that the hero is facing hardships and will never stop until he drives into a beautiful wilderness and finds rest.
"Is this the Elysee Paradise?" King Menastheus felt lost, wiped his tears, and said gently: "Prince Paris, your music makes me fall in love. Even Orpheus can only do this. What do you have?" As for the request, as long as it is reasonable, I will agree to it."
Pei Ziyun bowed: "King Menastheus, thank you very much. I came to this great Athens, felt the glory of the gods, entered your palace, and received such warm hospitality from you. I am already satisfied. What else can I ask for? Woolen cloth?"
"But if I get your permission, I ask permission to purchase the bull and offer it as a sacrifice to the patron god of Athens."
Menastheus happily agreed and said: "Prince Paris, wherever you go, you will respectfully offer sacrifices to the gods. Your piety has become famous in Greece. How can I stop your legitimate wish?" "
"Then I would like to thank you again, King Menastheus." After saying that, Pei Ziyun said goodbye, and Menastheus readily agreed.
Pei Ziyun stood up and left, pausing in front of a pillar. This pillar was carved with Athena and Artemis, surrounded by nymphs, holding a fruit basket with grapes and peaches in it. ,Fig.
Pei Ziyun was thoughtful. He had actually given a chance just now, but King Menastheus didn't talk about the monster. Could it be that it has been resolved
Regardless of whether it is resolved or not, one important thing when going to Athens as an envoy is to worship Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, and see the reaction of this god.
"Who would have thought that such an enthusiastic Menastheus would also be a member of the siege of Troy?" Pei Ziyun thought to himself. At this time, a very young nobleman stepped forward: "Prince Paris, I will take you to your residence. Then It is the residence of envoys and princes.”
The term "embassy district" is correct. There was a similar area in ancient Greece. When foreigners came to the city, they would naturally find their own way out. But for envoys and valuable guests, there was a special service area responsible for providing services to outsiders. Accommodation and, if necessary, finding them seats in citizens' assemblies or theaters were the embryonic forms of what would later become embassies and consulates.
"Moreover, he is not arranged to live in the palace, but in the embassy area. Menastheus's enthusiasm is actually limited. Maybe he has smelled something?"
The city of this era was actually very small. Soon they arrived at a mansion, which was decorated with bronze and marble statues. The ceiling and floor decorations were simple and exquisite. Pei Ziyun was still very satisfied and ordered Gesnie who was following him: "Gesnie, I have obtained permission from the king to sacrifice to Athena, you go and buy a fine bull."
The accompanying nobleman was very young. He looked like a teenager. He had grown a beard according to the Greek custom. He said with a smile: "Prince Paris, I have thirty cows. You can choose any of them." Just, why buy it?”
"Thank you for your generosity, but how can I show my sincerity to the great Athena if I am not the one to buy it?"
"By the way, what's your name?"
"Demo Feng!" The young noble thought for a while and nodded in agreement. Pei Ziyun watched him leave, his expression gradually turned cold, and there was a hint of confusion.
"Demophon, this is the son of Theseus. He did not participate in the war. He was accumulating strength in Athens. Waiting for Menastheus to come back, he officially launched a coup, exiled the king, and regained the throne."
"This man has very deep intentions!"
(End of chapter)