[X] Plan Phokion
Phokion has the right of it. We cannot approach any of these issues without due deliberation, for each of them could change the entire fate of our fair city as we know it. Each of these decisions as we make them should not be made on their individual merits alone, but instead as part of a greater conceived grand strategy. Thus I would like to toss my boulder into the ring, though I admit my turn of phrase may be be taken rather poorly when we take into account the performance of our discus throwers during the recent Olympic Games.
On the matter of colonization and our future plans regarding our colonies and their fate within the Epulian League, I feel that it is necessary to point out to all, now and in the future, that Eretria is not like Sparta or Athens. Rather than yoke the Epulian League and any future colonies we found within it to our designs, like Athenai does with the Delian League, or Lacadaemon does with the Peloponnesian League, our Epulian League will be one of common cause and friendship, where the League follows our will not because we hold a sword of Damocles hanging over their head, but because they firmly believe it is in their best interests to support us. Were this not true, would we have truly given the League the veto they so desired alongside all of those reforms when war with Taras was on the horizon? I say nay. Thus, while his plan leads to slower colonial growth, and less courageous endeavors in founding these new colonies, in the end I view that the long term impacts of a more united and prosperous League of Allies beats that of simmer hostility.
When it comes to the matter of dealing with the Liburni and their pirates plaguing the Adriatic, I feel that caution and moderation is merited. We are charging headfirst into unknown enemy territory, where our foes know the water and inlets like the back of their hands. The initiative is not our side here, and if we are too rash in our decision, it could cost us dearly against such savage foes. Some could argue that the decisive plan favored by our talented naval strategoi Xanthos Irenaeos is a bold one that could crush the Liburni swiftly and decisively, thus ending the threat of piracy to the region by rooting it out by root and branch. I would counter this by saying it would be folly to embark on such an endeavor that requires too many variables to go our way in order to secure victory. After all, while our rowers and marines are indeed skilled, on par with those say of even Athenai, even they however cannot defeat a foe who has thoroughly outmaneuvered and outnumbers them locally. Furthermore, one should remember that if we wish to assault their strategic port of Iadar, a fortified settlement with a dedicated fleet, our only choice there would be to move as one decisive and concentrated force, one our foes could easily see coming and counter with their local knowledge of the reason. Within narrow straits, even our skilled and vast fleet will lose its strength when confronted by the foe, as shown in famous battles such as Salamis.
That is why I believe that Epiktetos Linos has the right of it. By entrenching ourselves within the region, harassing them on land and sea with our superior warriors and sailors, we will force the Liburnians to confront us or die the death by a thousand cuts. With this plan in mind I further support the idea to approach the Enetoi and Histri. Long have the Enetoi been our friends within the region. Unlike the Etruscans any friendship built with them will not be mercurial and mercantile, this endeavor not being seen as a transaction but a coalition in service to a greater joint cause. Unlike the Dalmatae, the Enetoi and Histri are not complete barbaroi, whose sensibilities would not appreciate wise Obander's metaphors and wordplay. If we wish to approach an ally, and if an ally is to be a key part of that plan, we must make sure we pick carefully among those who we believe we can court, and I believe the Enetoi and Histri to be hellenized enough to understand his cogent arguments. Thus with them in tow, we will not only gained 200 more men to assist us on land, but more importantly more light and numerous ships that can act as our screens and guide us through the treacherous straits of our foes. By dividing our forces into small raiding teams, we can force the Liburni to abandon their greatest strength, their numbers and ability to concentrate force at will, and instead force them to try to defend everything, while also defending nothing. For even if they are able to manage a defense, with their numbers weakened and the ground one of our choosing we can then defeat them in detail. Thus with this dilemma set they will be forced to either face us decisively or be nibbled away into defeat.
On the matter of Sicily, while I am galled that we have been forced into this position by Syrakousai, it is too late to change the past. I must admit that I am leery of the proceedings now that Athenai has decided to throw their hat into the fray. However if we are to break the matter down rationally into the likely and unlikely consequences of our decision, here is my view. If we try and succeed in expelling Athenai from the Congress, while we may succeed in preventing Syrakousai from rallying the other Sicilians against Athenai for being a powerful outsider, we also will surely earn the ire of Athenai's displeasure and attention should we do so, while also not guaranteeing that Syrakousai will not attempt to rally the Sicilian Hellenes against us as another powerful outsider. However if we support Athenai and allow them to have their say here, I believe that we are well poised to tip the balance enough in our favor for now. While it is true that Athenai acting here would likely sour the Sicilians to any future outside powers intervening on the island, Syrakousai could likely use the same argument against us, with or without Athenai. On the other hand, we know Athenai if given the chance here will spend both its influence as well as it's coin in an effort to curb Syrakousai to our benefit. While ideology and pathos may cause some of the cities to see Athenai's intervention in a negative light, the coin and the threat of direct Athenian military action is more than enough I believe to cow those pragmatic enough to see the potential outcomes of this. As while Athenai is distracted now, none could call her weak or feeble.
With the Athenians, we would be well poised to convince long neutral Selinous to stay neutral instead of supporting Syrakousai. After all, heaps of Athenian silver are as good as any to the trading city, and a small price to pay for discarding ideological concerns. After all they gain nothing from us and Athenai if they choose to support Syrakousai, potentially getting entangled in a costly war, while supporting us allows them to gain wealth and potentially avoid war altogether. All of that combined should ensure that Sicily remains as balanced, as all things should be, for now.
In the future however, I agree that the balance will likely not be maintained, however if we are to seriously entertain a disruption of the region, I believe that our only choice here is the Sikels. While Carthage may be occupied now, I do not believe even a united Sicily could weather a vengeful campaign from them, and even if they did, I do not doubt that Syrakousai will come out all the better for it. Instead of uniting the Sicilian Hellenes against Carthage, which could lead to eventual unity under Syrakousai, we are better able to focus their energies on the interior Sikels. With the barbaroi tamed our allies in the Sikelliote League will be better positioned and with more wealth to take on Syrakousai once more. As the barbaroi are simply a mere nuisance, any campaign here would need to rely on Syrakousai to succeed for our fellow poleis are well positioned to succeed in time.
Thus, I support Phokion's plan.
So speaks Alkaios son of Kleitos
