The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 146: Formation of the Thurii-Amendolara Alliance

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Formation of the Thurii-Amendolara Alliance

In the afternoon, Juleios urgently convened a meeting of the Amendolara Senate and invited Konogolata, as well as other notable citizens of Thurii, including Ansitanos , Bourkes , and more than a dozen other prominent figures. The list even included Praxinas and Polyx .

Arsistatus, puzzled, asked:

"Sir, why invite someone like Praxinas, who is untrustworthy and shameless, to the meeting?"

Juleios seriously replied:

"To us, Praxinas is an untrustworthy person. But to the people of Thurii, he is a patriot who sacrificed his honor for the benefit of the city-state. We should respect someone like that!"

"What about Polyx? He’s a deserter!"

Juleios did not answer immediately. He had consulted Kunogorata, and despite Kunogorata having been betrayed by Neonsisand Polyx, he pragmatically suggested inviting Polyx to the meeting because the Polyx family held considerable influence among the settlers in Thurii from Piocia.

Since the people of Amendolara came to the aid of Thurii’s citizens, Praxinas had been deeply unsettled, even contemplating emigrating to another city-state. When an Amendolaran messenger approached him with an invitation, he was initially skeptical. However, upon hearing the words conveyed by the messenger from Juleios, Praxinas shed tears.

The citizens of Thurii, who had been meticulously cared for by the people of Amendolara over the past two days, felt guilt and resentment toward Praxinas, blaming him for destroying the friendship between the two cities. Even his family members were distancing themselves from him. Juleios’s acknowledgment moved Praxinas profoundly.

Inviting Praxinas also signaled to the citizens of Thurii that Amendolara held no grudges, reassuring those who had opposed Amendolara in the past.

Given the circumstances, the meeting was held on a grassy field. Everyone sat in a circle on the ground, surrounded by guards for security.

At the meeting, Juleios proposed the formation of a Thurii-Amendolara Alliance, wherein citizens of both cities would share a single consul and senate. He also invited the Thurians present, including Kunogorata, to join the new senate as members.

This proposal had already been discussed and agreed upon with Amendolara’s senators. The Thurians, being in a weaker position and heavily reliant on Amendolara’s aid and protection, found the offer appealing, especially since they could become senators.

News of the proposal quickly spread among the citizens of Thurii, who largely celebrated. The majority of them welcomed the alliance because it allowed them to openly accept Amendolara’s aid and the protection of its powerful soldiers. They no longer needed to fear betrayal or abandonment, as they were now "one family."

The cheers reached the new Thuriian senators still in the meeting, eliminating their last reservations.

Juleios then stated that, since Thurii and Amendolara were now one, Amendolara’s laws would apply to Thurii. The rights and obligations enjoyed by Amendolara’s citizens would also extend to Thurii’s citizens.

Except for some minor objections from Thurii senators regarding the annual 1% land tax, Juleios’s proposals were overwhelmingly approved.

Next, Juleios proposed fulfilling the earlier promise: granting freedom to slaves who participated in the battle against the Lucanian coalition. Additionally, freemen who had fought in the same battle but did not betray Thurii by joining Crotone’s forces would become reserve citizens of the new alliance. However, those freemen who led the rebellion causing Thurii’s fall would face execution, as determined by Thurii’s people.

This proposal passed without controversy. The destruction of Thurii had led to deep reflection among its citizens, who recognized that their mishandling of freemen and slaves was one of the primary causes of the disaster.

Hearing Juleios’s proposals, Praxinas looked slightly awkward. Unexpectedly, Juleios suggested that Praxinas take charge of their implementation. This gave Praxinas an opportunity to redeem himself, for which he was deeply grateful.

In reality, most freemen involved in the Lucanian battle had joined the rebellion and followed Crotone’s forces to transport spoils of war, only to be captured by Amendolara’s army. As for the slaves, many mining slaves fled into the mountains after Thurii’s fall, while most urban slaves chose to stay. Life under their familiar masters, though lacking freedom, was preferable to fleeing into harsher conditions or being captured by indigenous peoples.

Those who met the criteria for freedom were few, but for freemen and slaves lingering near Thurii’s ruins, this proposal was a beacon of hope. They believed the legendary consul genuinely cared for freemen and slaves, and as a lifelong consul, he represented future opportunities for freedom and citizenship.

This stabilized the emotions of freemen and slaves, igniting their enthusiasm for the new alliance. Their numbers far exceeded the citizens of Thurii, ensuring the city’s security.

The first senate meeting of the Thurii-Amendolara Alliance was highly efficient. Several proposals aiding Thurii’s reconstruction were passed. Kunogorata, nominated by Juleios, was overwhelmingly elected as the city administrator of Thurii, receiving unanimous support from Thurii senators. His unreserved support for Thurii’s people earned their gratitude, and the politically savvy senators recognized Amendolara’s dominance in the foreseeable future. Supporting Kunogorata, a trusted figure of Juleios, was in their best interest.

Because the two cities were close, only the city administrator position remained distinct for each city. Other offices were shared, with deputies or assistants sent to fulfill specific duties as needed.

A Thurii Reconstruction Committee was also established, led by Juleios, with Cornelius and Kunogorata assisting as city administrators.

Finally, Bourkos asked the pressing question on every Thurian’s mind:

"What if the Crotonians attack again?"

Juleios, unfazed, smiled and replied:

"I think we can leave that question for the military officer to answer."

Felicius (斐利修斯) stood up and said,

"Gentlemen, let me briefly report on the results of our army’s campaign. We deployed a total of 4,895 soldiers and eliminated approximately 6,000 enemies while capturing 9,000 prisoners (this is an extraordinarily high casualty ratio; on average, each Amendolaran soldier eliminated more than one enemy. Under normal circumstances, even with Amendolaran soldiers’ formidable combat effectiveness, such results would be impossible. This was only achieved because it was a surprise attack, with the Crotonians being drunk, asleep, unarmored, and unarmed at the time). On our side, we only suffered 72 citizen deaths and 200 injuries."

Upon hearing this, the Thurian senators were dumbfounded.

Felicius continued,

"Among these 9,000 prisoners, about 5,000 are from Crotone (primarily because, during the camp setup, the Crotonians placed soldiers from other city-states on the perimeter)." He glanced at Juleios and said,

"We can use these prisoners to force Crotone into peace negotiations. Additionally, we can seek assistance from Tarentum ."

"Will Tarentum help us?" Bourkes asked skeptically, knowing that Thurii had previously made similar attempts. Tarentum had only sent symbolic envoys, who withdrew after failing to mediate peace.

"With Crotone’s power significantly weakened, not only will Tarentum help us, but Locri (洛克里) might also take action!" said Kunogorata, who was well-versed in the political landscape of Magna Graecia.

"Consul, we should immediately organize manpower to rebuild the city walls and attempt to form an alliance with Tarentum as soon as possible!"

"We are already allied with Tarentum!" Amyntas suddenly interjected.

"That’s different. The initial treaty with Tarentum was signed by Amendolara. Now Amendolara has become the Thurii-Amendolara Alliance," Antonios quietly explained to him.

Amyntas scratched his head awkwardly.

"Kunogorata, you’ve reminded me that we do indeed need Tarentum’s assistance right now!" Juleios said. Though he spoke these words, he didn’t believe Tarentum’s aid was absolutely necessary. However, understanding Tarentum’s stance was crucial. Originally, Amendolara was an inconspicuous ally of Tarentum, but now it had suddenly become a two-city alliance with increased power. How would Tarentum perceive this? Kunogorata’s reminder was insightful. Juleios cast him a grateful glance.

Marigi and Ansitanos were dispatched to the Tarentum Senate.

When Tarentum’s consul and senators learned that Amendolara had defeated Crotone’s army, they could hardly believe their ears. Over ten thousand Crotonian soldiers had been killed or captured in a single morning. These were not the undisciplined and ferocious but short-lived Lucanians—they were real Greek hoplites. Moreover, they were the renowned Crotonian hoplites, known for their athleticism and strength. How could Tarentum not be astounded by such a result?

"It seems that Juleios, blessed by the gods, has created yet another miracle!" Archita exclaimed sincerely. There was no jealousy in his eyes, only curiosity. "I’d like to know how Juleios managed to defeat the Crotonians!"

Marigi briefly recounted the course of Amendolara’s operations, emphasizing that it was a night raid and that the Crotonians, being overconfident and unprepared, had neglected proper camp construction, were drunk, and so on.

This was to temper their astonishment.

Even so, the Tarentum senators were deeply impressed by Juleios’s military prowess. It was now evident that his earlier victory over the Lucanians had not been a fluke nor solely due to Tarentum’s reinforcements.

The Tarentum Senate began treating the emissaries from Amendolara with greater respect.

One of the consuls, Eumachus , said,

"People of Amendolara, since you have already achieved victory, what brings you to Tarentum? Are you here to flaunt your achievements?"

"Amendolara has always held the utmost respect for Tarentum, who once saved us! We would never dare have such thoughts!" Marigi bowed respectfully and then explained,

"This time, we have come because the Thurians, who have lost their homeland, have formed an alliance with Amendolara.

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