The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 107: The First Senate Meeting (Part 6)

The soft flicker of oil lamps illuminated the Senate Hall, their light casting long shadows on the polished stone walls. Juleios stood tall in the center of the room, his gaze unyielding as he addressed the assembled senators and officers. The air was charged with anticipation as he spoke, his voice steady and resonant.

"I propose that we designate the upcoming wedding day as the Marriage Festival of Amendolara and dedicate it as a festival for the goddess Hera," Juleios declared. His words carried the weight of both tradition and renewal. "This festival will serve as a reminder of the hardships we have endured and the resilience that has brought us to this moment. It will emphasize the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family in strengthening the bonds of our city-state."

Cornelius, seated among the older citizens, was taken aback by the depth of Juleios’ vision. The young consul’s grasp of both practical governance and symbolic gestures impressed even the most skeptical among them. He nodded thoughtfully. "Consul, I believe this will bring great joy to all citizens and reinforce their unity."

A chorus of agreement rippled through the hall. The older citizens voiced their support with measured approval, while the new citizens, still reveling in the novelty of their citizenship, cheered with unrestrained enthusiasm.

From among the officers, Xilos rose and asked, "Consul, what about the soldiers who do not find a wife during the festival?"

Juleios, prepared for this question, turned to Cornelius, silently inviting him to respond. Cornelius stood and addressed the assembly. "Before the Lucanian invasion, Amendolara was home to over 4,000 citizens. Now, fewer than 500 remain. Among the survivors are over 1,000 widows, along with families where both parents have perished. There are enough homes and properties for every soldier to be settled. However, many of these homes come with dependents—children and elderly family members. We hope the new citizens will take responsibility for caring for them."

Cornelius’ voice trembled with emotion as he spoke, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. The weight of Amendolara’s losses hung heavily in the room.

"It’s not merely a hope—it’s an obligation," Juleios said firmly, his voice cutting through the somber silence. "If you inherit the land and property left behind, you must also shoulder the duties of its former owners. This includes caring for the elderly and raising the children as your own."

Silos immediately stood and pledged, "Consul, you have my word. We will ensure our brothers honor this duty."

Amintas, ever brash and outspoken, added, "If anyone tries to shirk their responsibility, I’ll personally make them regret it."

Juleios nodded approvingly. "I trust you all to enforce this expectation. To further ensure compliance, the Senate will draft laws to formalize these obligations." He turned to Antonios and said, "This will be part of your responsibilities as Inspector."

Antonios straightened in his seat, feeling the weight of the task, and responded resolutely, "It will be done, Consul."

The older citizens exchanged glances, their guarded expressions softening as they saw Juleios’ commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among them.

Juleios continued, his tone shifting to one of practical determination. "Now, let us address the matter of land distribution. The Senate will guarantee that every new citizen receives no less than five acres of land. For those who inherit land through marriage, their allotment will be adjusted accordingly. Any shortfall will be supplemented by public land."

The announcement was met with enthusiastic applause from the new citizens. Their cheers echoed through the chamber, a reflection of their gratitude and excitement. frёeωebɳovel.com

With the assembly’s energy at its peak, Juleios decided to broach a more contentious issue. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and addressed the room with measured gravity.

"Citizens," he began, "participating in the governance of the city-state is your right, just as defending it in battle is your duty. However, managing a city-state requires resources. Building roads, maintaining city defenses, equipping our armies, and providing aid during disasters—all of this costs money."

The hall grew quieter as the weight of his words settled over the audience. The new citizens, unfamiliar with the intricacies of governance, listened intently. The older citizens, more aware of the city-state’s financial constraints, nodded grimly.

"Amendolara’s treasury is limited, as Treasurer Melsis has reminded us," Juleios continued. "We cannot sustain our ambitions without securing a steady source of revenue. Therefore, I propose that Amendolara introduce an annual land tax, set at a modest rate of 1%."

His words struck like a thunderclap. A stunned silence filled the room, followed by an uproar. The older citizens, in particular, were outraged.

"This is an affront to Greek tradition!" Scombras, one of the oldest senators, shouted as he sprang to his feet. "No Greek city-state imposes land taxes on its citizens! Have you lost your senses?"

The new citizens exchanged uneasy glances. Though they respected Juleios, the idea of paying taxes was foreign to them, and they hesitated to voice their opinions.

The unit commanders, however, would not tolerate disrespect toward their leader. Matonis and a few others stepped forward, glaring at Scombras. "Watch your tone, old man," Matonis growled. "You’re speaking to the consul."

Scombras, undeterred, jabbed a finger in Juleios’ direction. "Consul or not, this proposal is madness!"

"Enough!" Juleios’ voice cut through the chaos, commanding immediate silence. He fixed Scombras with a steely gaze before addressing the assembly once more.

"Let me clarify," he said, his tone sharp but controlled. "This tax will not apply to the original citizens of Amendolara. To honor your heritage and sacrifices, you will be exempt from this obligation. Furthermore, each of you will receive a silver brooch, engraved with the mark of Amendolara’s founders. This will be a symbol of your legacy, to be worn with pride during public festivals and events."

The older citizens were taken aback. Their anger dissipated as they processed Juleios’ words. The brooch was more than a token—it was a gesture of respect and recognition. Scombras, though still grumbling, fell silent.

Juleios turned to the new citizens. "As for the rest of you, consider this tax a contribution to the city-state that has given you citizenship, land, and a future. It is not a burden but an investment in Amendolara’s prosperity."

The officers nodded, their loyalty to Juleios outweighing their reservations. One by one, the new citizens voiced their support.

With the tension in the room easing, Juleios concluded, "Together, we will build a city-state that embodies strength, unity, and justice. Amendolara will rise, not as a relic of the past, but as a beacon of hope for the future."

The hall erupted in applause, the echoes of Juleios’ vision reverberating through the hearts of all present. Though challenges lay ahead, the seeds of a new Amendolara had been sown, and under Juleios’ leadership, its citizens were ready to face whatever came next.

This content is taken from free web nov𝒆l.com