11-16-2003, 03:32 PM
My point is that it is extremely difficult to take a well-fortified city. Even for Romans it took a long time and much effort. And you never know what might happen during a long siege.<br>
<br>
What did Athenes need? New subjects for their empire to pay taxes, rich lands to be populated by the Athenians, riches of the robbed cities, slaves to use by themselves and to sell. They could get it all in the Southern Italy. Risk was as low as it could possibly be at war. Cities of Italy were disintegrated and Athenians would have been an unquestionable leader.<br>
And only after getting strong base in Italy and with the help of it, Athenians would have been able to begin the dangerous and difficult campaign in Sicily. Being closer to it would have helped too.<br>
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
What did Athenes need? New subjects for their empire to pay taxes, rich lands to be populated by the Athenians, riches of the robbed cities, slaves to use by themselves and to sell. They could get it all in the Southern Italy. Risk was as low as it could possibly be at war. Cities of Italy were disintegrated and Athenians would have been an unquestionable leader.<br>
And only after getting strong base in Italy and with the help of it, Athenians would have been able to begin the dangerous and difficult campaign in Sicily. Being closer to it would have helped too.<br>
<p></p><i></i>
