The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 178: Clash with Cincinnatus

The banquet at Neutum had reached its lively crescendo. Avinoges, seated proudly beside his son Henipolis, affectionately ruffled the boy’s hair. Despite his broad smiles and animated gestures, a flicker of reluctance and sadness lingered in his eyes. The decision to send his son to the Dionian League was one born of necessity and love, yet the weight of that choice was evident in his demeanor. After raising his cup in gratitude to Juleios, the atmosphere grew even warmer, the room buzzing with camaraderie and wine-fueled laughter.

After a few more rounds of drinks, Avinoges raised his voice. "Lord Juleios, we in Laos are considering adopting a lifelong Archon system like the League. Do you think this would be appropriate?"

The elders exchanged curious glances, though Juleios remained composed. His smile betrayed no surprise. "Our alliance is built on mutual respect," he began. "The League does not interfere in the internal governance of its allies. We only require unity in military matters, alignment in foreign policy, and a commitment to strengthening economic exchanges."

Avinoges nodded in relief, but Juleios’ tone shifted as he continued. "However—" The word hung in the air, freezing the celebratory mood. Avinoges leaned forward slightly, his face tense.

"My suggestion is this: ensure that your city-state remains stable at all times. If unrest occurs and you cannot resolve it, the League might have to send troops to restore order. Deploying soldiers is costly, and the consequences would be far-reaching, don’t you agree?"

The tension in Avinoges’ shoulders eased, and his broad grin returned. He had no intention of truly adopting Greek political systems. For the people of Laos, the concept of a lifelong Archon was simply a way to frame his traditional role as a chieftain within the more refined terminology of their Greek allies. With this reassurance, he declared, "It is an honor for Laos to stand as an ally of the Dionian League! I swear to you, Lord Juleios, that I will ensure the stability of Laos and remain the League’s most loyal ally."

"Well said!" The gathered elders raised their cups in unison, praising his pledge.

"To show my gratitude," Avinoges announced, his voice brimming with confidence, "I will perform a dance for you!" The room erupted in cheers as he downed his cup of wine, strode to the center of the hall, and began to dance.

His movements were bold, his steps heavy and rhythmic, exuding the strength of a warrior and the vitality of a man at peace with his people. He sang as he danced:

High mountain peaks,

The home of Asinu,

Below we graze our cattle and sheep.

A beautiful maiden appears in the woods,

Her joyful figure like a leaping doe,

Capturing my gaze...

Vespa and Bagule joined in, their voices rising in harmony. Though Juleios and the Greek elders couldn’t understand the words, they clapped along, their smiles genuine as the melody filled the hall. Avinoges danced with abandon, casting off years of careful restraint. In that moment, he was no longer a cautious chieftain but a proud leader reveling in the joy of alliance and shared culture.

A few days earlier, in Grumentum, Cincinnatus had sat on his elevated chair in triumph. Having crushed Lusau, the son of Archyparus, and claimed control of Grumentum, he envisioned himself as the unchallenged ruler of Lucania. Yet, his celebrations were short-lived.

Though victorious, Cincinnatus had refused to fulfill his promises to the tribes that had supported him, withholding plundered wealth and land. This betrayal infuriated the Grumentum tribes, who barricaded themselves in the northern part of the city, defying his authority. Tensions erupted into skirmishes, and the city teetered on the brink of civil war. Cincinnatus’ attempts to bribe the tribes failed—none trusted his word anymore.

As if the internal strife wasn’t enough, devastating news reached him: Neutum had fallen to the Dionian League. His disbelief turned to horror when scouts confirmed the rumors. Locals who had escaped from Neutum described the overwhelming numbers of the Greek army and their swift conquest. Worse still, they reported that the infamous Juleios—the Greek who had defeated Archyparus—was now governing the city.

Cincinnatus was thrown into turmoil. For centuries, the Lucanians had been the aggressors, expanding their territory with confidence. To lose a major settlement to outsiders was a blow to their pride and security. His first instinct was to flee to Picosis, abandoning Grumentum to its fate. But the rebellious tribes within the city demanded concessions in exchange for peace—concessions he found intolerable.

Determined to hold onto Grumentum, Cincinnatus ordered reinforcements from Picosis. Before his plans could be fully set in motion, however, his guards announced an unexpected visitor: a messenger from Neutum.

Hermon entered the grand council hall with measured steps. The imposing architecture—flanked by rows of fierce warriors and illuminated by flickering torches—hinted at the ambitions of Grumentum’s former rulers. Archyparus, it was said, had dreamed of uniting Lucania under his rule, and the grandeur of this hall seemed a testament to that dream.

Seated high on a dais, Cincinnatus studied Hermon with suspicion. "I didn’t expect Neutum’s messenger to be you," he said. "I hear your city has fallen to the Greeks. Is that true?"

Hermon, once a respected tribal leader in the fertile lands of Lucania, bowed respectfully. "Honorable great chieftain, it is true. Neutum now belongs to the Dionian League. And Laos, under Avinoges, has also joined the League."

"What?!" The chieftains erupted in shock.

"Laos has betrayed us too?" one shouted.

"What are we to do now? Without Laos, the Greeks will have a clear path to attack us!" another cried.

The panic rippled through the hall, and Hermon stood silently, letting the tension grow. Cincinnatus, his face contorted with rage, slammed his fists against the armrests of his chair. "You treacherous fool!" he roared. "Have you forgotten Asinu’s teachings? You surrendered to our enemies, and now you dare to stand before me?"

Hermon met his gaze calmly. "You misunderstand, great chieftain. I did not surrender; I became a citizen of the Dionian League. I still honor Asinu, and if I wish, I can build temples to him in Thurii or Amendolara. Our traditions remain intact in Neutum—bullfighting, marriage-by-abduction, and other customs continue unchanged. But now, we enjoy more land, more livestock, and lower taxes."

The chieftains exchanged incredulous glances. "Can the Greeks truly treat Lucanians so well?" one muttered.

Hermon seized the moment. "Juleios, the Archon of the Dionian League, said this: ’Dionia is not just a league of Greeks but also a league of Lucanians.’ If you doubt me, ask Vespa and Bagule. They are both elders in the Dionian Senate."

His words left the hall in stunned silence. Doubt and curiosity began to replace fear, as the seeds of change took root in the hearts of the Lucanians.

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