The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 148: The Crotonian Envoy Lysias

The news of the Crotonian army’s defeat spread swiftly to Crotone, sending shockwaves through the city. An emergency council meeting was hastily convened in the grand city hall, where fierce debates erupted among its members. The chief general, Milone, seethed with anger, denouncing Amendolara’s "cowardly" sneak attack and lambasting Melanthius’s incompetence. He proposed organizing another army to punish Amendolara and restore Crotone’s tarnished prestige.

Lysias, a seasoned statesman, countered Milone’s proposal with measured argument. He reminded the council that the decision to burn Thurii had already caused unrest among neighboring city-states, souring relations and turning potential allies into enemies. Now, with their forces humbled, Lysias warned that further warfare risked provoking a coalition attack from Locri, Tarentum, and Amendolara. His voice, calm yet resolute, drew sharp rebukes from Milone’s supporters, who saw retreat as cowardice.

The council remained deeply divided. Heated arguments swirled through the chamber, with neither side gaining a clear majority. Hours passed, the debate dragging into the afternoon. Then, a chilling piece of news arrived, deliberately spread by the Amendolara-Thurii Alliance: over 5,000 Crotonian prisoners had been captured, along with 1,000 from Asproustum and Scylletium, 1,200 from Crimissa and Castrogno, and more than 1,000 freemen and slaves.

This grim tally struck the Crotonian citizens like a hammer blow. However, it also gave them hope. Crowds began to gather outside the city hall, demanding that the council take immediate action to ransom their loved ones. As if to compound their woes, another revelation soon followed: the Amendolara-Thurii Alliance had formed a defensive pact with Tarentum.

Faced with mounting pressure from both within and outside the council, Milone reluctantly relented. After tense deliberation, the council appointed Lysias as an envoy to negotiate the release of the prisoners. He was granted full authority to sign a ceasefire agreement if necessary. With his delegation assembled, Lysias departed Crotone by ship, their mission burdened with the weight of the city’s hopes.

Aided by favorable winds, the Crotonian ships reached the mouth of the Crati River within half a day. There, they were met with a surprising sight: countless merchant ships crowded the river’s mouth, their rows forming wooden walls upon the water. Ships sailed in and out in a ceaseless flow, with more arriving from distant shores.

Lysias frowned, leaning against the ship’s railing. "Wasn’t Thurii burned to the ground? How can there still be so much trade here?" he wondered aloud. His question was soon answered when a small, weathered fishing boat approached their vessel.

"Hey, are you here for trade or negotiations?" shouted a man standing at the bow of the fishing boat.

One of Lysias’s attendants, following his instructions, responded, "What is your role here?"

The fisherman proudly pointed to the sail bearing a striking emblem—a black-haired figure coiled in flame around a gleaming bident. "Do you see this symbol? It’s the mark of Hades. Our consul, Lord Juleios, is a descendant of the god himself! My name is Secrian. I’m a navigator, appointed by the commerce officer, Lord Marigi, to keep these waterways clear. You need to tell me your purpose here, or I’ll have to ask you to leave. You’re blocking the channel."

Lysias hesitated briefly but then answered decisively, "We are envoys from Crotone, here to negotiate with the Amendolara-Thurii Alliance."

To his surprise, Secrian neither mocked nor insulted him. Instead, the navigator nodded calmly. "So, Crotone has finally sent someone. Envoys from Castrogno, Crimissa, and Scylletium arrived much earlier."

Lysias raised an eyebrow, intrigued. One of his attendants asked, "Why aren’t you angry with us?"

Secrian shrugged. "Why should I be? You burned Thurii, not my home. I’m just a freeman. In fact, I should thank you Crotonians."

His cryptic remark piqued the delegation’s curiosity. "Why would you thank us?" someone called out.

Secrian smiled slyly. "If you hadn’t burned Thurii, the alliance between Amendolara and Thurii wouldn’t exist, and Juleios wouldn’t be our consul. He treats freemen and slaves fairly, as if we were full citizens. Have you heard of the Amendolara Immigration Law? Oh, I mean the Amendolara-Thurii Alliance Immigration Law."

When the Crotonians shook their heads, Secrian explained, "The law allows freemen to register and become reserve citizens. Once they serve in the military, they’re granted land. Next time you see me, I might be a full citizen!"

A skeptical member of the delegation scoffed. "No city-state grants citizenship so freely. This law must be a trick to exploit you." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Secrian’s expression darkened. "Shut your mouth! The law was publicly announced by Lord Juleios himself. He fought your army rather than betray Thurii. We trust him. If you weren’t envoys, I’d throw you into the river right now!"

Lysias motioned for his men to remain calm, silencing further provocations. Secrian, visibly displeased, spat into the water and led the delegation upriver. Along the banks, Lysias observed wooden docks and earthen forts bustling with activity. Goods were being unloaded and transported to the old Sybaris site, now visibly reclaimed.

Lysias frowned. During previous councils, he had opposed the attack on Thurii, advocating instead for diplomatic reparations. Now, the consequences of the invasion were clear. The alliance had revitalized the old Sybaris and strengthened its influence.

"Why do you trust Juleios so completely?" someone asked Secrian.

Secrian’s voice rang out over the river. "Because he treats us with fairness. When your army besieged us, he stayed loyal to Thurii. He is a leader who cares for all, not just the privileged."

The delegation fell silent, deep in thought. As they neared Thurii, the towering walls of the city loomed ahead, their presence a stark reminder of what had been lost and rebuilt. Lysias noted the ruins of the old iron chain defense system and reflected on the bitter cost of their failed campaign.

When they docked, Secrian disembarked to notify the stationed soldiers. The delegation was soon met by a captain, whose disciplined troops reinforced the alliance’s growing strength. After verifying their credentials, the Crotonians were told to wait while the captain reported to the senate.

As Secrian returned to his boat, his gaze lingered on the bustling harbor. "Remember this moment, Crotonians," he muttered under his breath. "The world you burned is rising again."

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