The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 115: An Invitation from Syracuse

After the grand wedding ceremony concluded, Juleios did not immediately return home. Instead, he and the senators convened with envoys from Metapontum and Heraclea in the Senate chamber.

One envoy represented Tarentum’s ally, while the other hailed from its dependent city-state. With Amendolara now a Tarentum ally as well, the discussions unfolded smoothly, filled with mutual goodwill. Juleios proposed that Amendolara establish relations of friendship and mutual assistance with Metapontum and Heraclea.

The envoys of the two cities readily agreed. Together, the three parties delved into ideas for strengthening interactions and enhancing trade, setting the foundation for closer ties.

It was late in the afternoon when Juleios finally returned home, only to find a guest awaiting him.

The sharp-eyed, middle-aged envoy greeted him with an air of formality, presenting generous gifts as he introduced himself.

"Greetings, esteemed Consul Juleios! I am Herolis, an envoy from Syracuse, representing the omnipotent General Dionysius."

The names "Syracuse" and "Dionysius" sent a jolt through Juleios’s heart.

In his former life, his knowledge of Dionysius the Tyrant of Syracuse had been sparse, limited mostly to the tale of the Sword of Damocles, which illustrated the perils of power in Greek city-states. Beyond that, he had little impression of Syracuse. Like many, his historical focus had been Athens, Sparta, and later Rome.

His scant knowledge of Syracuse included only a few key points: the annihilation of Athens’s expeditionary army during the Peloponnesian War, Plato’s ill-fated time in the city, and the tragic death of Archimedes during its sack—nothing more.

However, in this era, particularly in Magna Graecia, Juleios had learned much more about Syracuse through conversations with Bourkos, Cornelius, and others. It became clear that Syracuse was no ordinary city-state.

If Athens and Sparta had been the guardians of the Greek homeland, leading the resistance against Persia, then Syracuse played a similar role in the western Mediterranean. Under its leadership, the Greek city-states of Sicily had defeated Carthage’s armies during the same era as the Battle of Salamis, securing Greek dominance in the region. Syracuse had also helped defend the Greek city-states on the Italian Peninsula from native tribes in the north.

Decades ago, Syracuse had already established itself as the dominant power in the western Greek world, initially governed by a diarchic system. Now, the city-state was under the rule of the so-called "omnipotent" Dionysius, who had consolidated his power through a tyrannical regime.

Juleios knew enough about Dionysius’s rise to understand the man’s cunning. Ruthless and adept at intrigue, Dionysius had built his rule on military strength and political maneuvering. He had even benefited from fortune—a plague among Carthaginian forces during a siege had saved Syracuse. Moreover, he had cultivated private armies to solidify his authority.

The picture of Dionysius in Juleios’s mind was clear: a dangerous and ambitious leader. He recalled a line from a book in his previous life: "A resurgent state instinctively seeks to reclaim the power and territory it once held at its peak." Syracuse, which had once dominated Sicily and Magna Graecia, surely harbored such ambitions now under Dionysius. freewebnoveℓ.com

Despite his racing thoughts, Juleios maintained a calm demeanor, smiling warmly. "Oh, I never expected such a distinguished guest from Syracuse to visit our humble mountain town! Please, have a seat!"

Once Herolis was seated, Juleios asked, "May I ask, Lord Herolis, what brings you here on behalf of Syracuse?"

"When I departed for Thurii, I was unaware that you had become the Consul of Amendolara. My original mission is no longer applicable, but I still feel it’s worth mentioning," Herolis began, clearing his throat.

"When news of your army’s victory over the Lucanian coalition reached Sicily, the Greek populace there was overjoyed. They hailed it as a brilliant victory for Magna Graecia against the natives!

"When Lord Dionysius heard of this, he immediately decided to offer generous remuneration to hire you and your army to fight in Sicily against Carthage—the sworn enemy of the Greek city-states and a lackey of the Persians."

Juleios felt slightly relieved by this straightforward proposal and feigned curiosity. "Generous remuneration? How generous?"

"A soldier would receive four Daric gold coins per month, and you—twenty Daric gold coins per month," Herolis replied, studying Juleios’s reaction.

Juleios raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Four Daric gold coins per soldier? That’s more than double what Thurii paid us! Is Syracuse truly so wealthy?"

"To invite the heroes of the Persian expedition and the general who defeated the Lucanian coalition is an honor for Syracuse. No amount of money is too much!" Herolis said earnestly.

Juleios stroked his chin, his stubble rough beneath his fingers. I’ve truly become a famous general now, he thought, feeling a hint of pride. He gave Herolis a regretful look. "Unfortunately, we are no longer mercenaries. We are now citizens of Amendolara."

"Yes, I didn’t expect that after defeating the Lucanian coalition, you and your army would immediately retake Amendolara without rest. That is yet another brilliant victory!" Herolis praised.

"However," Herolis continued, "I now propose a new request on behalf of Lord Dionysius. I invite you to lead Amendolara’s army to join Syracuse in repelling Carthage’s invasion and restoring peace to the Greek city-states in Sicily. Syracuse will provide the same generous remuneration and supply the resources Amendolara urgently needs to recover."

Juleios neither accepted nor refused. Instead, he asked, "I’ve heard that Syracuse and Carthage signed a ceasefire two years ago. Has Carthage broken the agreement?"

Herolis looked momentarily flustered but quickly recovered. "Carthage only agreed to the ceasefire because a plague ravaged their army. That was Apollo’s punishment! But they still occupy many Greek city-states in western Sicily, enslaving tens of thousands of Greeks.

"To save these people and ensure peace, Syracuse must strike Carthage decisively, restoring our influence and expelling the Phoenicians’ ambitions!"

Juleios pretended to consider, though his decision was already made. After a long pause, he shook his head. "I sympathize with the plight of Sicily’s Greek city-states, but as the Consul of Amendolara, my duty lies here. I cannot abandon my responsibilities. Please convey my apologies and gratitude to Lord Dionysius."

Herolis sighed, disappointment evident. "That is truly regrettable! I hope we will have an opportunity to collaborate in the future."

As Juleios escorted Herolis to the gate, the envoy stopped and turned back. "May I ask a personal question, Lord Juleios?"

"Go ahead."

"When you retook Amendolara, nearly all its citizens had perished. Why did you allow a citizens’ assembly to vote on your stay instead of simply occupying the city?"

Juleios met Herolis’s inquisitive gaze. After a brief pause, he answered, "We mercenaries are tired of war. We sought a peaceful, lawful life. By respecting Amendolara’s laws and gaining citizenship through their process, we avoided chaos and earned trust. Stability was our goal."

Herolis remained silent for a moment, then nodded with newfound respect. "It is an honor to have met you."

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