The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 137: Repaying Resentment with Kindness

"Arsis, your report on Crotone’s commander Melanthius is very thorough. Excellent work!" Juleios praised after hearing the details.

"It’s mainly because he’s so famous in Crotone. Once our men reached the port, they could hear stories about him everywhere..." Arsistatus replied honestly.

Juleios nodded. "It’s clear that Melanthius is a proud man. Why would Crotone appoint him as the commander-in-chief in such a critical battle that concerns the survival of their city-state?"

"Perhaps because Melanthius has never lost a battle," Arsistatus speculated. "Besides, he fights bravely and favors swift attacks. Crotone likely hopes to resolve their conflict with Turii as quickly as possible. Also, they’ve appointed Timaras, an older and steadier individual, as his deputy. They must believe he can temper Melanthius’s impulsiveness."

"Hmm... Your analysis makes sense!" Juleios pondered before asking, "What are the combat characteristics of Crotone’s citizen-soldiers?"

"The citizens of Crotone are enthusiastic about physical training and have produced many renowned athletes. Their athletes consistently win championships in the four major games, particularly in wrestling, boxing, and discus, where they excel. Many city-state citizens report that in combat, Crotone’s soldiers are strong, aggressive in attacks, and exceptionally agile."

Juleios rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So their individual combat capabilities are strong. What about their coordination? Do they conduct frequent military training?"

Arsistatus chuckled. "My lord, not every city-state trains as rigorously or as frequently as Amendolara. The time Crotone’s people spend on military training is far less than what they spend in the arenas."

"It sounds like you’re not too fond of our training regimen," Juleios teased with a laugh.

"How could that be? I love training! Especially rugby!" Arsistatus quickly defended himself.

"Rugby isn’t training?" Juleios pursued playfully.

After a burst of laughter, Arsistatus asked, "My lord, will the war between Crotone and Turii affect us?"

"It’s impossible for it not to affect us!" Juleios sighed. "A weak neighbor is always safer than a new, powerful one. When the time comes, Amendolara may have no choice but to extend a hand to Turii."

...

Bourkos arrived in Amendolara and requested reinforcements from Juleios.

During the Senate meeting, the elders debated fiercely.

On one side, elder citizens like Cornelius and Lafaias opposed sending troops. They argued that Turii had brought this upon themselves by provoking Crotone. Furthermore, while Amendolara and Turii were allies in name, their relationship was effectively severed. There was no need for Amendolara to offend a powerful city-state like Crotone for the sake of a troublesome neighbor. Additionally, given the strength of the army Crotone had dispatched, the chances of Turii repelling them, even with Amendolara’s help, were slim.

On the other side, newer citizen elders like Kapus and Xilos suggested that Amendolara should observe the situation and decide based on how events unfolded.

However, another group of new citizen elders, including Alexis and Antonios, held a different view. They believed that protecting Turii was essential to ensuring the security of Amendolara’s surrounding environment.

Turii’s high walls and thick defenses meant Amendolara wouldn’t need to engage in open battle. Instead, they could assist Turii in defending the city.

If they managed to hold off Crotone’s attack, the invading army would likely have to retreat within a month due to the enormous daily food consumption of over ten thousand soldiers.

Alexis and Antonios spoke with subtlety, but Epitenes was far more blunt. "We’d rather have a weak Turii as our neighbor than a strong Crotone.

That would be unsettling unless Amendolara were to join Crotone’s alliance. But would any of you agree to that?"

Had Turii’s envoy Bourkos overheard these words, he would likely have felt deeply ashamed. Fortunately, he was waiting in a side chamber for the Senate’s final decision.

Epitenes’s words struck a chord with the assembled senators, but after so much discussion, the final decision still rested with Juleios.

Juleios surveyed the room with a solemn expression. "Everyone has already analyzed the situation thoroughly, so I won’t repeat the details.

What I want to emphasize is that we signed an alliance treaty with Turii—a sacred agreement sworn under the watchful eyes of the gods! We mocked Turii for breaking their promises, but now, as a greater threat looms, can we keep our own?"

Juleios paused, noticing the mix of shame and contemplation among the senators.

Raising his voice, he continued, "Of course, we can! We must demonstrate to all of Magna Graecia that Amendolara, an ancient city-state with a long history, upholds its commitments under any hardship.

We must preserve the honor and traditions passed down from the ancient heroes Heracles, Theseus, and Achilles!"

Later, Juleios informed Bourkos of the Senate’s decision. "Amendolara has decided to honor its alliance and send reinforcements."

Bourkos was moved to tears.

...

Due to the flooding rivers, marshes, and muddy flats in the northern Krimisa region, Crotone’s army was slowed, taking a full day to reach Castrolon. This city, once a colony of Sybaris and later a member of the Crotone Alliance, offered no resistance. Instead, it opened its gates to welcome Melanthius.

Within the city, Melanthius met envoys from Turii and Tarantum.

The Turii envoy pleaded desperately, but Melanthius impatiently interrupted, saying, "Crotone’s sword has already been drawn. It will not return to its sheath until it tastes blood."

Melanthius showed slightly more respect toward the Tarantum envoy but challenged him. "If a city-state violated its agreements and killed Tarantum’s envoy, what would Tarantum do?"

The Tarantum envoy was left speechless.

Melanthius regarded him with disdain and firmly declared, "Turii will face retribution!"

That night, as Melanthius prepared for bed, a guard reported urgently, "General, two individuals outside wish to meet you. They claim to have important information about Turii and want to make a trade."

"Important information about Turii?" Melanthius’s interest was piqued. "Bring them in immediately!"

Two men dressed as sailors, guarded closely, entered Melanthius’s quarters nervously.

"Speak! What valuable information do you have to trade with me?" Melanthius asked, reclining on his bed and scrutinizing them disdainfully. "If it’s truly worthwhile, I might consider your request."

The two exchanged glances. One of them, making up his mind, whispered, "Honorable General, I am a freedman from Turii..."

As the sailor spoke, Melanthius’s eyes lit up. He sat up eagerly, excitement plain on his face.

...

Although Juleios agreed to send reinforcements, he did not immediately mobilize his forces. After all, it was Turii that had requested help. If Amendolara rushed to their aid without hesitation, people might mock Juleios’s naivety.

Juleios’s initial agreement was to stabilize Turii’s military and civilian morale, encouraging them to resist Crotone with renewed determination.

Meanwhile, Juleios wanted to wait and observe the battle’s developments. He aimed to learn about Crotone’s army and ensure that Amendolara’s reinforcements arrived when Turii needed them most.

This strategy would minimize Amendolara’s casualties, earn gratitude from Turii’s citizens, and increase the likelihood of defeating Crotone. Since Amendolara was only half a day’s walk from Turii, this plan was feasible.

Amendolara’s response gave Neonisis some temporary relief.

Grateful for the support, he also felt a pang of regret for his past antagonistic actions toward Amendolara.

The news lifted the spirits of Turii’s citizens, who began to praise Amendolara. However, unsettling reports from the south soon dampened their optimism: Crotone’s massive army reached Castrolon in just two days.

Both Krimisa and Castrolon had surrendered without resistance, strengthening Crotone’s forces. Even worse, Crotone had outright rejected peace overtures from both Turii and Tarantum.

These successive setbacks left Neonisis terrified.

While cursing Crotone, Krimisa, and Castrolon, he urged Bourkos to return to Amendolara and request the immediate dispatch of reinforcements.

Simultaneously, he mobilized Turii’s citizens to strengthen their defenses and began considering Ancitanus’s earlier suggestion of recruiting freedmen to join the fight.

By the following day, however, the Crotone army stationed outside Castrolon had not advanced. Instead, they sent messengers to recall Turii’s envoy, claiming that peace negotiations were possible.

The news eased tensions among Turii’s generals and citizens, raising hopes that their envoy might return with good news of a ceasefire.

But by afternoon, Melanthius accused Turii’s envoy of insincerity, citing their failure to meet Crotone’s demands (which were, in truth, exorbitant and non-negotiable).

Declaring the negotiations a failure, he expelled the envoy and immediately ordered his army, already prepared, to march on Turii.

When Neonisis received the news, Crotone’s army was already at the gates of Turii’s southern wall.

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