The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 105: The First Senate Meeting (Part 4)

The warm light from the oil lamps illuminated the faces of the newly elected senators, casting long, flickering shadows on the walls of Amendolara’s Senate Hall. The air was thick with the weight of the decisions being made, decisions that would shape the city-state’s future for generations.

Cornelius sat rigidly in his seat, his mind racing. Though the meeting had so far been filled with optimism and ambition, Juleios’ sweeping changes left him uneasy. He knew he was witnessing the birth of a new Amendolara, one radically different from the conservative city-state he had once served.

"But... but... war means casualties..." Cornelius stammered, his voice trembling as he looked at the determined faces around him. "Amendolara has already lost too many people! How can we rush into more battles after suffering such devastation?"

Before Cornelius could continue, Amintas leaned forward, his expression a mix of disdain and challenge. "If we follow Leader Juleios, we won’t suffer meaningless casualties. We will win victories. Don’t you want revenge, Cornelius? Don’t you want to make the Lucanians pay for what they’ve done?"

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Cornelius, waiting for his response. Before he could muster an answer, Protesilaus and Tritodemos, seated further back, shouted, "Of course, we want revenge! We must teach those barbaric Lucanians the might of Amendolara!"

The room erupted in murmurs of agreement. Amendolara had endured weakness and humiliation for too long, and the citizens—new and old—were ready for change. The palpable hunger for strength and retribution filled the air, and Juleios allowed himself a small smile.

Rising to his feet, he raised his hand to quiet the room. The murmurs ceased instantly. "Revenge is a powerful motivator," he began, his voice steady and commanding. "But revenge without strategy is folly. While our ultimate goal is to conquer the natives and secure our future, we must not rush blindly into war. First, we must strengthen Amendolara. We must prepare ourselves—economically, militarily, and politically—and wait for the right opportunity to strike."

The room listened intently as Juleios continued. "To that end, I propose we submit the following motion to the Citizens’ Assembly for a vote: ’Any outsider willing to join Amendolara and abide by its laws, provided they meet certain conditions, will be accepted as a citizen by the Senate of Amendolara.’"

He paused, scanning the room. "We can discuss and decide the conditions later, but for now, I ask: Do you agree with this proposal?"

"Agreed!" The word echoed through the hall as voices shouted in unison, their enthusiasm drowning out any dissent.

Cornelius closed his eyes briefly, sighing in resignation. He knew this proposal would pass when brought before the Citizens’ Assembly. The demographic composition of Amendolara had shifted drastically, with new citizens—former mercenaries—now dominating the population. Their loyalty to Juleios ensured that any motion he proposed would receive overwhelming support.

(A few days later, the motion passed overwhelmingly in the Citizens’ Assembly, becoming what historians would later call the "Juleios Immigration Law." This law would go on to reshape not only Amendolara but also the political and cultural landscape of Magna Graecia and the broader Mediterranean world. But that is a tale for another time.)

"Since we all agree," Juleios continued, "I recommend appointing Marigi as the Commerce Officer, making him the first beneficiary of this new law and setting an example for future applicants."

"Agreed!" the voices of the new citizens echoed enthusiastically.

Cornelius glanced at the older citizens in the room, noting their silence. They had resigned themselves to the reality that their influence was waning. The enthusiasm of the new citizens, combined with Juleios’ strategic maneuvers, left them with little choice but to acquiesce.

Sensing the shift in mood, Juleios decided to strike while the iron was hot. "Do we have a Construction Officer in Amendolara?" he asked.

Cornelius furrowed his brow in confusion. "Construction Officer? If you mean someone to oversee public building projects, Amendolara doesn’t have a fixed position for that. If the Senate decides to build something, we appoint someone temporarily."

Juleios nodded, as if expecting the answer. "That won’t suffice for the vision I have for Amendolara. The Construction Officer’s duties aren’t limited to specific projects. This role encompasses overseeing all urban infrastructure—roads, wells, public buildings, temples, and even entertainment facilities. The Construction Officer ensures that our city is not only functional but also a beacon of culture and prosperity."

Cornelius hesitated. "Which city-state has such a position?"

Juleios smiled, but he didn’t answer. The position of Construction Officer was inspired by the aediles of ancient Rome, a system from his past-life knowledge. Whether any Greek city-state had such a role was irrelevant; Juleios was intent on introducing it.

"Amendolara’s future requires not just stability but growth," Juleios explained. "As we expand, we’ll need roads to connect new territories, bridges for our armies to cross, and well-planned cities to support our people."

Alexis stood abruptly. "I’ll do it," he said confidently.

Juleios chuckled. "Alexis, do you have experience as a builder?"

"No, but I can learn," Alexis replied without hesitation. "And I can recruit skilled craftsmen to assist me. If we don’t have enough here, I’ll bring them from neighboring city-states. I’ll even apply for their citizenship under the new law if they prove their worth."

Juleios smiled, impressed by Alexis’ resourcefulness. "It seems you’ve already thought this through. I expect great things from you, Alexis. Lead your team well, and ensure Amendolara’s construction surpasses that of any Greek city-state."

"I will, Consul," Alexis said, determination shining in his eyes.

"Amendolara’s treasury isn’t exactly overflowing," Cornelius cautioned. "How will we fund these ambitious projects?"

Juleios nodded. "For now, we focus on laying the groundwork. The Construction Officer is an investment in our future. When our wealth grows, so too will our ability to build."

With the mood in the room invigorated, Juleios introduced his next proposal. "Finally, I propose establishing the position of Military Officer. This role will oversee city defense, citizen training, weapon maintenance, and war preparation. Who among you will take on this crucial task?"

The room fell silent. The mercenaries, though confident in battle, were hesitant about managing military affairs for a city-state. Slowly, all eyes turned to Phelicius, the quiet and experienced former deputy commander.

"Phelicius has already been performing many of these duties," Juleios said, breaking the silence. "His expertise and diligence make him the natural choice."

A chorus of agreement followed, and Phelicius accepted the role with a nod.

"Once you take office, we’ll draft a comprehensive military code," Juleios instructed. "This will guide our citizen-soldiers and ensure Amendolara’s army is disciplined and effective."

Hearing this, Matonis groaned audibly. "Stricter rules, eh?"

Juleios fixed him with a stern gaze. "Discipline is what separates us from the barbarians. Remember, you’re no longer mercenaries. You’re citizens of Amendolara. Your actions reflect not just on yourselves but on the entire city-state. A disciplined army is a respected army."

The room fell silent, the weight of Juleios’ words sinking in. This was no longer the chaotic life of mercenaries. This was the beginning of something far greater.

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