Isocrates couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.
The rotating chairman, Scombrus, struck the table with a gavel, officially beginning today's meeting.
Scombrus then announced loudly: "Today's agenda consists of only one item: Athenian envoys have arrived in Thurii. Let us hear their demands."
Some senators who hadn't received prior notice perked up immediately upon hearing this: the great city-state renowned throughout the Mediterranean—Athens—has actually sent envoys to our Daunian League!
Amidst the curious gazes of the assembly, Isocrates walked to the front, calmly standing before them. He then offered an elegant and composed greeting to the assembly. Straightening up and puffing out his chest, he began his speech: "Esteemed Daunian Senators, I am Isocrates, an envoy from Athens. This is my first time setting foot on the soil of Thurii, yet it fills me with an extraordinary sense of kinship! Fifty years ago, the great Athenian general Pericles extended a helping hand to the displaced Sybarites, promising to rebuild a new city for them. This city would inherit the ideal pursued by General Pericles throughout his life—that all Greeks, regardless of region or ethnicity (for Greeks can indeed be subdivided into many ethnicities; 'Greek' is merely a broad and general term and concept), could live together in peace and amity.
To this end, he not only mobilized Athens but also called upon the entirety of Greece. The whole of Greece acted to establish a Pan-Hellenic city-state of excellence. Of course, we Athenians contributed the most. We not only utilized the gold and silver from the Athenian treasury to purchase stone and grain for this new city, but General Pericles also invited the great Greek architect Hippodamus to preside over the new city's construction planning, dispatched two exceptionally capable Athenian generals, Lysian and Xenocritus, to oversee the new city's administration, and even invited my teacher, the sophist Protagoras, to formulate laws for Thurii. Moreover, the historian Herodotus and the rhetorician Tisias settled here, sowing the seeds of Greek culture and wisdom among the immigrants…"
With such powerful assistance, Thurii, as soon as it was built, became the most dazzling pearl of Magna Graecia. Yet, the Athenians, seeking no reward, returned to the Eastern Mediterranean, allowing Thurii, this newborn infant, to grow independently and freely…"
Isocrates had aspired to become an orator since childhood, but unfortunately, due to his raspy voice, in Athens, where oratory was prevalent and demands were stringent, this was almost a fatal flaw. Therefore, he rarely displayed his oratorical talents in large, formal settings, and could only reluctantly turn to teaching rhetoric and eloquence. Today was a rare opportunity for him to speak in public, hence his emotional fervor.
The Daunians were not so particular about oratory. On the contrary, they found that his emotions, infused into his hoarse voice, possessed a unique appeal. Especially the senators from Lucania and Bruttium, who were not very familiar with this period of history, listened with great interest.
However, Cunogolata, Burcus, Davos, and others who knew the inside story were well aware that Athens was not as noble as Isocrates claimed. Due to gratitude towards Athens and the fact that Athenians constituted the majority of the immigrants, the political situation in Thurii was dominated by Athenian descendants for the first few decades.
Nevertheless, Athens did not forcibly transform Thurii into a member of the Delian League or a subordinate state of Athens, nor did it ever openly make any excessive or harsh demands on Thurii. This was also a fact.
"Today, as I set foot on this land where Athenians once poured their hearts and souls, I was amazed to discover that General Pericles' initial ideal had been realized. Indeed, today's Thurii has surpassed his expectations! Here… not only do immigrants from various Greek city-states live together peacefully, but even other races live in harmony with the Greeks."
As Isocrates said this, he felt a slight discomfort, but his voice was already filled with emotion: "This miraculous Daunian League has showcased a beautiful vision of peace for the Mediterranean world, which is rife with ethnic conflicts and constant warfare! Therefore, I would like to pay my highest respects to you who lead the people, make arduous efforts, and achieve this magnificent goal!" Saying this, he bent down and bowed respectfully and slowly.
Cornelius, Scombrus, Burcus, Vespa, Hermon, Bacilipe, Sedolum, and other senators were moved by his sincere words. Even Cunogolata, Marigi, and other more astute senators were touched by it.
Although Davos knew from Ansitans that Isocrates was an "Athenian supremacist" and that these words were by no means his true intentions but rather aimed at gaining the senators' favor in order to achieve some purpose, he still led the senators to stand up and applaud warmly as a sign of respect.
Isocrates did not show a trace of self-satisfaction on his face. He calmly waited for the applause to subside and then continued: "Precisely because Athens and Thurii have this unique bond, whenever difficulties arise, both sides will extend a helping hand and do their best to assist each other!… Not long after Thurii was built, it was Athens that helped Thurii resolve the threat from Croton and signed a peace treaty with Croton on behalf of Thurii; it was also with Athens' assistance that Thurii defeated Tarentum on the Cerillis plain and reached a reconciliation with Tarentum.
And when Athens and Sparta broke out into war and dispatched a large army to conquer Syracuse, only Thurii provided sincere assistance when passing through the cities of Magna Graecia, and even sent troops to help in the battle!
Decades have passed in a flash. A few years ago, both Athens and Thurii suffered calamities. During the Peloponnesian War, the Attica region of Athens was completely reduced to ruins and has yet to fully recover. Furthermore, the city of Athens was occupied by the Spartans, who supported a group of tyrants who hated democracy and admired autocracy. These people disregarded the law, wantonly harmed citizens, and plundered property. Freedom-loving Athenians fled one after another, enduring the pain of leaving their homes…"
Thurii also suffered the tyranny of powerful forces. The Crotonians used deceitful schemes, leading to the capture of Thurii. The city of Thurii, which the Athenians and Thurian people had built with sweat, was completely burned down, and countless people perished in the fire…"
When this shocking news reached Athens, the entire city fell silent. Many people who had fond memories and feelings for Thurii shed tears, including my deputy, Lysias…"
Isocrates spoke with deep emotion and a sorrowful expression. Many of the senators were also touched and became solemn.
"Fortunately, both the Athenians and the Daunians bravely rose from the immense blow. We wiped away our tears, buried our loved ones, and rebuilt our homes with our diligent hands…"
"The past is gone, but it must not be forgotten. Today's Greek world is still not peaceful. Powerful forces run rampant, bullying the weak. Sparta in the east and Syracuse in the west are both eyeing their Greek compatriots with greedy and ferocious eyes, like hungry wolves drooling over a flock of fat sheep. Weak lambs must unite to deter powerful wolves and avoid repeating the mistakes that lead to destruction!"
"This is the main reason why I have come here. We Athenians extend our hand from the east, wanting to once again grasp the hand of our former western brother, Thurii, connecting Greece and Magna Graecia with a bridge, not only strengthening trade and commerce but also enhancing cultural exchange, allowing the people of both regions to benefit more from life. More importantly, we must achieve a military alliance, cooperate with each other, and thus tightly safeguard the precious freedom and rights that were once taken away from us and that we now cherish so much!"
Isocrates finished his speech, and the assembly hall was silent.
Davos had to admire the Athenian orator for presenting the matter of alliance in such a tactful and moving manner, with great persuasiveness. To this end, he even played the emotional card, even overlooking the fact that Thurii had once expelled Athenian descendants, not to mention that Athens had formed the Delian League and suppressed member states that opposed it, placing both Athens and Thurii in the position of victims, attempting to evoke the senators' sympathy.
However, Isocrates forgot one thing: this is Daunia. The place where he is speaking is not a citizens' assembly. Any decision or affair of Daunia is not decided by the citizens' assembly, but by the Senate, led by Davos. These senators are either veterans who have been involved in politics for many years, or capable people who can handle complex affairs, or leaders who have once managed the lives of tens of thousands of their people. It should be said that they are all elites in the Daunian League. Of course, they will not make decisions based solely on impulse, as ordinary citizens would. Perhaps they can be moved for a moment, but when it comes to making decisions that affect the future of the alliance, they will certainly consider the issue more from the perspective of interests.
After Isocrates was asked to leave the council chamber, Petalus, Bergam, and several other original Bruttian leaders were the first to stand up and express their support: forming an alliance with Athens to jointly resist Sparta and Syracuse. In fact, this was not their original intention, but because Polixis and others had been sentenced and cursed by all the Daunians as "traitors," their reputation was completely ruined. Although Petalus and several other senators who had previously supported their demands and convened the citizens' assembly were safe and sound without being involved in these matters, they themselves always felt uneasy, and they took this opportunity to express their innocence and determination.
Most of the other senators opposed: forming an alliance with Athens to resist Sparta and Syracuse. Although they had already sensed Dionysius's ambition during the trial of Polixis, the difference in strength between Daunia and Syracuse made them unwilling to actively provoke this Greek overlord in the western Mediterranean. Moreover, Syracuse had already signed a friendship agreement with Daunia.
Even if Davos had a stronger guard against Syracuse, he did not think now was a good time to confront Syracuse.
----
Isocrates waited anxiously in a spacious lounge inside the council hall for the Daonian Senate's final decision.
Soon, a guard came in and asked him to go to the meeting hall.
When he entered the hall, he found Davos, the chief magistrate of Daonia, standing in the center of the hall.
Davos smiled at him and motioned for him to sit down, then said to him with a smile: "Honorable Athenian envoy, I am very glad that you have brought the friendly sentiments of Athens, the great city-state of the Mediterranean, to the Daonian League, which has made us, who are in a remote corner of the Greek world, stop continuing to pity ourselves, because in the new play 'The Daonians' by the Athenian playwright Aristophanes, we Daonians are being ridiculed as barbarians by the Athenian people..."
As soon as these words came out, Isocrates secretly cried out: "It's bad."
Sure enough, he heard someone shouting angrily from behind: "What right do the Athenians have to humiliate us Lucanians!"
"They are not only humiliating the Lucanians, they are humiliating all the Daonian citizens!" another person shouted angrily.
"If the Athenians all hold such an attitude towards us, then Athenians are not welcome here!"
...
One angry voice after another slammed towards Isocrates, who was sitting in front, making him feel as if there was a volcano about to erupt behind him, and his face changed a little.
Davos looked at his embarrassment and continued: "Isocrates, you say that Athens and Daonia have a deep friendship, which cannot be just said verbally, but needs to be seen in practical actions. But now, the actual situation of Athens that we understand makes us unable to see the Athenians' friendship towards Daonia, but only see the people of Athens mocking and ridiculing the characteristics of a new city-state alliance that are different from other Greek city-states, and even being able to be the topic of conversation for Athenians in restaurants for several months, which is not the behavior that a city-state that once called itself 'the best school in all of Greece' and has a long history and tradition should have! Nor is it the behavior that a city-state that claims to have deep affection for Daonia and wants to form an alliance with it should make!
Therefore, the citizens of Daonia will not, when facing a strong enemy, I can trust myself to a city-state that discriminates against me.. So, the matter of concluding a military alliance, I think it is too early to talk about it now."
Damn Aristophanes! Damn Aristophanes! Isocrates's countless curses in his heart could not change the reality of the failed alliance. Frustrated, he wanted to stand up and try to make a final effort.
Davos waved his hand at him, Tell him not to interrupt,Then said: "Although the current Thurii is no longer the Thurii of the past, and the Daonian League has no connection with Athens, the Daonians are by no means an ungrateful race. We have a clear distinction between gratitude and grudges. We repay the grudges others give us tenfold, and we repay the kindness others give us tenfold—"
"What the chief magistrate said is right! Taranto allied with us in our time of need, so we sent a large army to save their city-state! Thurii once gave your Excellency's mercenaries a foothold in the beginning, so in the face of the Crotonian army pressing down on the border, we did not yield, but instead avenged the dead Thurii people with a great victory! Daonia regards promises as life and cherishes the friendship it has made, so friendship cannot be easily promised!" The old man Scombrus twitched his gray beard, held his head high, squinted at Isocrates, and put on an arrogant expression that said "Daonia's friendship is extremely precious, it's really benefiting you."
Davos smiled and continued: "Since the center of the Daonian League is in Thurii, we naturally inherit some of the emotions of the former Thurii people. We are willing to have friendly exchanges with Athens and strengthen communication to eliminate misunderstandings between each other..."
Hearing this, Isocrates understood what Davos and the other senators of the Senate meant: Daonia is willing to get along with Athens in a friendly manner, except for a military alliance. Strengthening trade and cultural exchanges does not seem to be much different from the core meaning of his previous speech.
But Isocrates understood that the difference was obvious. If Isocrates initially came to talk about cooperation from a condescending position as an Athenian elder brother, now the Daonians are trampling his inherent elegance and nobility under their feet, but instead telling him: Daonia's friendship is extremely precious, and a little can be given to Athens, but it depends on Athens's performance...
Being able to sit in the position of chief magistrate and create today's Daonia with his own hands, this young man is not simple! Isocrates looked at Davos in front of him and felt the pressure...
...................
While Isocrates was giving a speech in the Daonian Senate, Ancytanos led Lysias to the north side of Victory Square, where there was a newly built building that looked like a temple. At the foot of the steps were bronze statues of the nine Muses, lined up in a row.
"Could it be the Temple of Apollo?" Lysias looked at Ancytanos suspiciously.
Ancytanos still had a mysterious smile on his face, but he just didn't open his mouth.
Lysias walked up the steps with increasing curiosity, and finally found a few large letters on the lintel of the temple entrance: "Library".
"This is?" Lysias could roughly guess the purpose of this building, but is such a large building only used to store books? Are there so many books?
He looked at Ancytanos again in confusion, hoping that he could explain.
"This is the library built with donations led by our chief magistrate, Lord Davos!" Ancytanos proudly pointed to the words and said: "He once said, 'Books are the gems of human wisdom, whether it is Persia, Egypt, Carthage, or the earlier Sumer, Hittites, Assyria... The history and civilization they created are ultimately gathered in words and books. It is our common human wealth, the ladder for us to get rid of ignorance and move towards a more brilliant civilization, so we must do everything possible to collect them! Protect them! If these treasures are destroyed by war and disaster, it will be the most painful loss for us humans! But we must not only collect books, but also share and read these books with more people, so that the people of Daonia can improve themselves with knowledge, create wealth with knowledge, and create a more brilliant culture with knowledge. This is the meaning of my building a library!'"
After listening, Lysias was fascinated and murmured: "The person who can say such great words must be a great person!"
Ancytanos smiled secretly.
"Take me in and have a look!" Lysias couldn't wait to go in, but was stopped by the guards at the door.
"This is my friend, he came with me, and wants to go in for a visit." Ancytanos hurried forward to explain.
"Okay, Lord Ancytanos." The guard saluted respectfully.
"There is actually force in a place that stores knowledge!" Lysias said unhappily as he walked inside.
"Books are precious and fragile. A fire can destroy them all, so of course someone needs to guard them to prevent accidents from happening," Ancytanos explained.
Lysias expressed his understanding, and after calming down, he said again: "It seems that not just anyone can enter here."
"Only Daonian citizens and prospective citizens can enter."
"In this way, the freemen of Daonia have another motivation to become citizens." Lysias had been here for nearly two days, and he understood how big the gap was between the rights enjoyed by Daonian citizens, prospective citizens, and freemen. However, this gap is not impossible to eliminate, unlike Athens, no matter how hard you try, you can't cross the gap between Athenians and foreigners.
"There are probably forty to fifty thousand Daonian citizens in Thurii, right? If they all pour into this library, can it accommodate them?" Lysias asked suspiciously.
"We have already considered your concerns. First of all, the quality of Daonian citizens has not yet reached the point where everyone can read; secondly, they cannot all appear here at the same time. Even if there are too many citizens who want to enter the library, the library also has regulations on the number of people allowed. However, it seems that such a situation will probably occur many years later. By then, Daonia may already have a second, third, and fourth library..." Ancytanos's words were full of confidence in his alliance.
Lysias was silent, but soon he was attracted by the scene in front of him: rows of tall wooden cabinets were neatly placed in the hall, cutting the huge space into a passageway that only three or four people could pass side by side. Each wooden cabinet was open, divided into rectangular small spaces by wooden boards, and inside were rolls of books or materials made of papyrus or parchment. In front of these bookshelves was an area with many wooden tables, and only a few people were sitting there reading quietly.
Lysias, who loved books like his life, stared blankly and couldn't help but say: "There are so many books!"
"Actually, there are not many. Most of the bookshelves in the back are empty. After all, the library has only been completed for less than 20 days." Ancytanos said with some emotion: "Lord Davos once called on the citizens of Daonia to take out the books in their homes and let the library copy a copy and store it here, and also to erect a monument and engrave the names of the citizens who contributed the books. At that time, many citizens responded to the call, so much so that the library's scribes were too busy..."
Following the direction of Ancytanos's finger, Lysias saw several stone tablets erected on the left side of the library entrance. He had only cared about looking ahead before, and had actually ignored them.
The stone tablets were densely engraved with names.
Lysias noticed that only the first name had a book title written after it: "This...this...this is—" He incredulously stroked the book title.
"That's right, this is the original manuscript of 'The Histories' written by Herodotus, as well as his diaries and materials recorded during his travels. When Thurii was burned down, his family didn't take anything with them, only these precious materials to escape the fire. Now they have donated everything to the library!" Ansitano said excitedly.
"I... can I take a look?" Lysias, even when his family was poor in Athens, had never begged anyone, but at this moment, he looked at Ansitano with a face full of desire.
Ansitano shook his head: "I'm really sorry, Lysias. Herodotus' 'The Histories' manuscript and materials are the most precious treasures of Daonia, and such precious materials are stored upstairs, guarded by special personnel." Ansitano pointed to the top of his head, which was the second floor of the library: "Only senators of the Senate and scholars of the Daonian Academy are allowed to enter upstairs to view those precious and confidential materials because of their duties and research needs, and they cannot take the books out.
"If you join Daonia, according to Lord Davos' promise, you will become the dean of the Faculty of Arts, then you can easily check any books and materials in the library."
Lysias stood in place, his face changing constantly. Although he had only stayed in Daonia for about two days, it had given him a great shock: this city-state alliance with a very short history was not only full of vitality and developing rapidly, but also attached great importance to knowledge and culture, formulating many systems and building many facilities to highlight its importance and ensure its development and inheritance, such as the Daonian Academy, the Pantheon, and this newly built library... Even Athens, which has a splendid culture, does not have such systems and facilities, nor does it place the respect for knowledge and scholars in such an important position as Daonia. This is a paradise for scholars to fully display their talents!
Lysias thought about it again and again, and finally made up his mind: "After I return to Athens, I will discuss it with my family before deciding when to come to Thurii."
"That's really great!" Ansitano was overjoyed, stepped forward and grabbed Lysias' shoulder: "Lord Davos will be very happy when he knows that Daonia has another scholar famous throughout Greece! Believe me, you will be better off in Daonia than in Athens!"
"Shh!" The librarian poked his head out from behind the registration desk and made a gesture of silence.
Ansitano nodded apologetically.
At this time, Lysias said with a complicated expression: "Ansitano, as far as I know, you are the dean of the Faculty of Arts."
"Researching history is my interest. Being the head of the Faculty of Arts is only because no one was qualified at the time, so I reluctantly agreed to the consul's request, which has wasted too much of my time that should have been spent writing books. Now that you, who are more capable than me and have a deeper literary accomplishment than me, are here to take over, I am more than happy..." Ansitano said a lot without thinking.
"Thank you, my friend!" Lysias smiled and saluted Ansitano, finally making a decision, and he suddenly felt exceptionally relaxed. He looked at the countless rows of bookshelves extending to the depths of the hall, the air filled with the unique aroma of wood and paper intertwined, he took a deep breath, somewhat intoxicated: his second half of life will be spent here!
"Ansitano, if it's convenient, please take me to see your so-called 'Favored by the Gods', the undefeated general Davos. I want to see what kind of great person is someone who founded the Daonian Academy and built the library?" His eyes were full of curiosity and longing.
… … … … … … … … …
When the Carthaginian envoy's boat sailed into Carthage's circular military port, famous throughout the Mediterranean, the Carthaginian people swarmed up from the pier and surrounded them to learn about the negotiation situation.
When the Carthaginian people learned that a peace agreement had been signed, and Carthage only needed to pay a certain amount of grain and gold and silver to continue to own several cities including Lilybaeum and Eryx, as well as a small part of western Sicily,
Many people cheered, and some shed tears...
The Sicilian War, which lasted for several years, not only cost Carthage a lot of gold and silver, but also killed thousands of citizens in this long and cruel war.
Especially in the first war with Dionysius I, the tyrant of Syracuse, when the Suffete Himilco led his army to a great victory at the beginning, and even attacked the city of Syracuse, his strength was greatly weakened due to the outbreak of the plague, and only a few scattered ships struggled to sail back to the port.
At that time, the Carthaginian people who heard of this tragic situation gathered at the port to inquire about the news of their relatives. When they learned that 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers (excluding mercenaries) were either dead in Sicily or captured, the wailing and screaming of the bereaved echoed throughout the coastline. Those were the darkest days of Carthage, and the whole city was plunged into grief.
The people were all dressed in black yarn, every family closed their doors to guests, commercial activities were suspended, and the temples were also closed...
In contrast, the Maggonid family, the nobles among the nobles in the Carthaginian political world—from the royal family of Tyre, a famous Phoenician city in Carthage's motherland—finally faced a real threat to their nearly 200-year dominance of the Carthaginian political arena. Following the disastrous defeat of the Carthaginian army organized by Hamilcar, the head of the Maggonid family, against the tyrant Theron of Syracuse at the Battle of Himera more than 70 years ago, the name of the Maggonid family was once again associated with the defeat of overseas expeditions, and this time the situation was even more serious: the Carthaginian army was almost completely wiped out, and Himilco did not die on the battlefield like his ancestors, but abandoned his comrades and soldiers and fled back alone. Such an act of desertion in the face of battle should have been punished with the extreme penalty of "crucifixion" according to Carthaginian law. Due to the king-like status of the Maggonid family in the city of Carthage, the head of the Maggonids was temporarily spared from criminal law. But the storm was not over. The Carthaginian elites, who were already dissatisfied with the Maggonid family, used the grief and anger of the citizens to promote the reform of the system.
Himilco, the loser who disgraced the family, realized that the situation was extremely unfavorable to the Maggonid family, so he wore cheap and worn linen robes every day and wandered around the main temple of Melqart in Carthage, complaining to the gods about his blasphemous actions, praying for heaven to punish him, hoping to recover something in this way. But in the end, the pressure of the situation and the ridicule and humiliation of the citizens finally caused him to have a mental breakdown. Half a year later, he locked himself at home and committed suicide. This public act of atonement was still not enough to guarantee the power of the Maggonid family.
Soon after, a new Carthaginian political institution was established—the Tribunal of 104, an institution composed of members of the aristocratic class, whose duty was to supervise the actions of Carthaginian officials and military officers, and also served as a high court, but no one from the Maggonid family was selected for this institution.
In order to revitalize the Maggonid's declining power in Carthage and regain prestige among the people, Mago, the new head of the Maggonid family, who was Himilco's younger brother, used the family's still great influence in the Senate to once again promote the Third Sicilian War against Syracuse, taking advantage of the opportunity of Dionysius I, the tyrant of Syracuse, attacking the Carthaginian sub-state Solus.
However, things are different now. The Carthaginian army, whose strength has been greatly reduced, is defending against the increasingly powerful attack of Syracuse, but it has suffered more defeats than victories. Mago is still persisting, but the Carthaginian people are already tired of the war. Seeing no chance of victory, they are even more afraid of another disastrous defeat, so "ceasefire negotiations" have become the unanimous call of the citizens.
Finally, an agreement was reached, but the responsibility for the defeat still had to be borne by Mago. When the Carthaginian envoys responsible for negotiating with Syracuse returned, the whole city was cheering for the arrival of peace, only one family seemed deserted, or even sad.
In a huge mansion not far from the Byrsa hill of the Carthaginian citadel, the Maggonid family was holding a sacrifice, because today was exactly the day of Himilco's sacrifice, but the noisy music and cheers of the people constantly coming from outside the mansion obviously seriously damaged the atmosphere of mourning.
Hasdrubal knew: the Carthaginians were worshiping and celebrating the Greek goddess of harvest, Demeter, and her daughter, Persephone.
Carthaginian citizens are actually worshiping Greek gods?! That's right, in Sicily, due to the deep relationship between the Greek city-states and the Phoenician colonial cities, they have lived together for hundreds of years, and have had a deep influence on each other. Demeter and Persephone are not only popular among the Greeks in Sicily, but also gradually accepted by the Phoenicians. Even the Sicilians believe that Hades, the king of the underworld, abducted Persephone in Sicily. This cultural influence has also penetrated into Carthage. There were originally temples of these two goddesses in the city of Carthage, but the reckless actions of Himilco's army made their status among the Carthaginian gods even more prominent, because when Himilco led his army to attack the city of Syracuse, his subordinates looted the temples of these two goddesses located on the southern slope of Epipolae, and as a result, a plague broke out in the Carthaginian camp not long after, leading to the final disastrous defeat. Therefore, the Carthaginian people believe that this is the goddesses' punishment for the Carthaginian people's blasphemy, knowing that Persephone is the queen of the underworld.
The extremely terrified Carthaginian people even strongly requested the Senate to formally pass a bill to conduct large-scale worship of the two goddesses. To this end, they also specially sought out Greeks who settled in the city of Carthage and assigned them to serve the two goddesses, especially Persephone, and stipulated that her worship ceremony must be carried out in the Greek way. As a result, this kind of religious ceremony continued year after year, making the two Greek goddesses occupy an increasingly important position in the hearts of Carthaginian citizens.
----
For the Magonid family, this was an intangible humiliation.
If it had been during the family's time of power and influence, who would have dared to shout outside their residence!
This group of snobbish Carthaginians!
It was they who led to the family's current predicament!
Hasdrubal finally couldn't bear the anger in his heart, turned around, and roared at the slaves outside the hall: "All of you, take the sticks and drive away those yelling and shouting fellows!"
"Hasdrubal!" Mago's low shout made the irritable Hasdrubal reluctantly shut his mouth.
Mago glanced at the few direct relatives behind him and sighed inwardly: In the past, although the family looked glorious, many relatives died on the battlefield in years of fighting against Syracuse for the benefit of Carthage.
His cousin Hannibal, after avenging the humiliation of his ancestors' defeat at Himera, contracted a cold and died after returning to the city; another younger brother died in the plague during Himilco's escape, and his own son, in the just-concluded war with Syracuse, was unfortunately shot and killed by a stray arrow…
However, the Magonid family had paid so much, but in return, they faced the ruthless joint suppression of Carthage's political enemies.
In the Senate election a few days ago, the Magonid's influence among the newly appointed senators was greatly reduced, and Mago, as the new head of the Magonid family, failed to serve as Suffete (i.e., senior executive officer, elected annually, two at a time) for the first time.
This was the first time in a hundred years that the head of the Magonid family had failed to serve as Suffete, while the Magonid family's main opponent, another great noble family whose strength was second only to it—the Hanno family—became the big winner in this election, not only firmly controlling the Senate, with the family head Hanno serving as Suffete, but also with his close friend serving as the other Suffete.
The family would face greater difficulties and had to prepare early!
Mago clenched his fist and reaffirmed the decision he had made earlier.
"Hasdrubal," Mago solemnly said to his nephew, "You are already a 25-year-old man, if you still act so rashly, how dare I entrust you with the important task of revitalizing the family and restoring its glory in the future!"
"Uncle, I—" Hasdrubal wanted to argue, but Mago interrupted him and said very simply: "Go to Iberia, at least there, no one will be watching you closely, using your political naivety to bring disaster to the family."
"You want me to go to Iberia?!" Hasdrubal opened his mouth wide, never expecting that he would be exiled like this.
"It's not just you who has to leave Carthage, I also have to leave Carthage." Mago was about to explain when his ten-year-old daughter, Dido, asked anxiously: "Father, where are you going?"
Mago lowered his head slightly and said kindly to his only daughter, who was named after the founding queen of Carthage: "I'm just going to Sicily, not far from Carthage, and I can come back at any time."
"Father, are you going to serve as the resident commander of Sicily, defending against the Greeks?" Dido immediately asked again.
Mago looked at his daughter, who was still young but already quite beautiful, and couldn't help but sigh at her intelligence, but it was a pity that she was a woman!
He also looked at the dissatisfied Hasdrubal, sighed inwardly, and continued to explain: "Although we have signed a treaty with Syracuse, the Senate is still wary of Dionysius.
This time I was sent to Sicily, although it was due to Hanno's selfishness, it was also what I hoped for.
The peace between Carthage and Syracuse will not last long, sooner or later Carthage and Syracuse will have another war, and what our Magonid family lost in the war must be taken back in the war!"
Mago said with a firm expression: "When I get to Sicily, I will recruit soldiers, train them rigorously, and gradually build effective defensive fortresses east of Lilybaeum and Eryx, and slowly extend the buffer zone with the Greeks eastward, waiting for the opportunity to arrive…"
Speaking of this, he patted Hasdrubal's broad shoulders forcefully: "Do you think I'm exiling you by sending you to Iberia? No! It's because I need your help!"
"Need my help?" While feeling puzzled, Hasdrubal also felt a trace of excitement in his heart.
"What war consumes is people and gold and silver.
Once we go to war with Syracuse, with Hanno in power in Carthage, I'm afraid he will hold me back, and I may not get Carthage's full support, so we have to rely more on ourselves, just like our ancestor Hannibal used the family's money to gather a large army to aid Himera decades ago.
Southern Iberia has much more fertile land than Carthage and Sicily, rich silver mines, iron mines, and other metal mineral resources, and a large indigenous population, but since the fall of the Tartessos kingdom, there has not been a strong force there.
It should have been an excellent opportunity given to the Carthaginians by the god Melqart, but our people and senators are too comfortable.
They would rather do business and farm in Carthage and Numidia than venture to a strange land thousands of miles away.
Since no one in Carthage is going to do it, then our Magonid family will do it!
Hasdrubal, the family has decided to spare no expense to provide you with ample manpower and ample money, hoping that after you gain a foothold in Iberia, you will occupy a stable territory for the family, as my strongest backing for the war with Syracuse in the future!"
"Don't worry, Uncle, I will definitely not let you down!" At this moment, Hasdrubal no longer had any dissatisfaction, rubbing his fists and looking excited.
Mago looked at him, still feeling a little uneasy in his heart.
He understood his nephew, leading troops to fight was his strength, but to conquer a strange land, it was not just a matter of war, but also required administrative, diplomatic, and other aspects of ability, which Hasdrubal lacked.
But among the direct relatives of the Magonid family, he was the only one who could take on the great responsibility, so he could only hope to send him a capable assistant who could make up for his shortcomings in this regard.
"Uncle, I am willing to accompany my brother to Iberia!" A rather immature voice rang out in the hall.
"Hanno, you can't go!" Hasdrubal resolutely said to a thin, pale-faced youth.
"Since developing Iberia has become the most important thing that determines the rise and fall of our Magonid family, as a member of the family, how can I enjoy myself alone in the city, watching Uncle and you endure hardships outside!
What's more—" The youth looked solemnly at the bronze bust of Himilco placed in front of the hall and the blood offerings in front of the statue: "Avenging my father is my wish!"
Hasdrubal's words choked in his mouth, and after a long while, he said: "But your body—"
"After this period of exercise, my body is much better.
In Iberia, I will continue to exercise myself, besides, leading troops to fight is your business, brother, I only need to stay in the camp…" Hanno's words were both an explanation to Hasdrubal and to Mago.
"Hanno, are you sure you want to go?" Mago finally asked.
"Yes, Uncle.
I have already made up my mind!"
Although Hanno's tone was light, Mago knew that once his little nephew had decided on something, it would be difficult for others to persuade him to change his mind.
However, he had been intelligent since he was a child, and had a maturity and stability that was different from ordinary teenagers.
Himilco once believed that he was a genius who would bring greater glory to the Magonid family in the future, but he had always been weak and sickly.
If he went to Iberia to assist Hasdrubal, he would definitely be able to obtain greater benefits in Iberia, Mago was deeply convinced of this.
"Since you have already made up your mind, then I agree to you going.
But you must understand that if you cannot guarantee your health, it will be difficult for you to help Hasdrubal for a long time, to help our Magonid family!" Mago said solemnly.
"I understand." Hanno nodded heavily.
"Uncle, but—" Hasdrubal, who was still worried, wanted to say more, but Mago said loudly: "Alright, let us worship your father together for the last time, hoping that he will bless the family's cause, everything goes smoothly!…"
… … … … … … … … … …
July, the season when the scorching sun is like fire, is also the time when the Daonian olive ball and football matches are in full swing.
Davos, who had just returned from attending a meeting in the Senate, received an urgent letter from Laos.
"Go to Daonian Academy and call Hennipolis back for me!" After reading the letter, he immediately said to the attendant slave with a solemn expression.
"Yes, Master."
"Sir, why are you in such a hurry to call me back?
I almost got scolded by that Greek old man again." Hennipolis's voice came in before he even entered Davos's study: "Since that Athenian old man came to the Faculty of Arts, we have been much busier than before.
Not only do we have to recite poems and essays every day, but we also have to write an article every two or three days, and if we don't meet the requirements, we have to rewrite it.
Sir, why don't you talk to Professor Ansitanois, I don't want to be a rhetorician, I still want to continue studying history with him…"
"Hennipolis, you don't have time to study history anymore." Davos handed him a letter with a solemn expression.
Hennipolis suddenly had a bad premonition.
He quickly took the letter, opened it, and was immediately struck by lightning, and the whole person was stunned: "…This…This is not true…At the beginning of the year, my father came to Thurii to see me…He was in good health!…Really good!…" As he spoke, he shed two lines of tears.
Davos sighed: Avinoges fainted at the banquet and has been unconscious.
Based on his experience in his previous life, this was probably a "cerebral hemorrhage", and he had long advised him not to overeat, alas!…
Hennipolis suddenly remembered something, and suddenly stepped forward, tightly grasping Davos's hands, and earnestly begged: "Sir! Sir! You are the god-favored one of Hades! The teacher of all Daonian doctors! Please save my father! Save him!!…"
"Henni, calm down! I've already sent Herpus to Laos. After I finish things here, I will also head to Laos tomorrow!" Davos said loudly.
"Thank you, Your Excellency, thank you!…" Henni Polis was already sobbing.
Although Davos felt sorry for him, he couldn't let him continue to be sad, because he knew that cerebral hemorrhage was an extremely dangerous disease. With the medical level of this era, even in Daonia, it would be useless. Being able to wake up would be a blessing. He had to plan for the future of Laos.
"Henni! Henni! Look at me! Look at me!!" Davos shook his body and shouted loudly at him.
Henni Polis raised his head blankly, his face covered in tears.
"What I want to tell you is that the doctors of Daonia have also experienced your father's condition many times, and the situation after treatment is not optimistic." As Davos said this, a look of pain appeared on Henni Polis's face.
"Listen, child. You are already a 25-year-old young man, a dignified Daionian man! If your father is really not well…you should bravely take over the burden your father has shouldered, take care of your mother, and take care of the people of Laos, just like your father did! Do you understand?!…Do you understand!!"
"Under…understand…" Henni Polis nodded while crying.
"Very good. Go back and pack your things, and return to Laos immediately. We'll see you in Laos!" Davos patted his thin shoulder encouragingly.
Henni Polis wiped away his tears with his hand and walked out staggeringly. Suddenly he stopped: "Your Excellency, can I…can I ask you for help if I encounter difficulties?"
"Child," Davos said gently but firmly, "I have said that I regard you as my own child, and I will do my best to help you with any difficulties!"
"What happened? I saw Henni go out crying." Christoia walked in with Croto Kataks.
"Daddy, I saw Brother Henni crying. He's so old and still crying." Little Croto also said.
Davos picked up his child. This little guy was almost five years old and quite strong: "Your Brother Henni's father fainted and hasn't woken up yet."
"Ah!" Christoia exclaimed and asked repeatedly, "Is it serious?"
Davos nodded heavily.
Christoia's expression also became dim, and then she thought of something and asked, "Is Henni going back to prepare to take over as consul?"
"Besides him, who else can be the consul of Laos?" Davos said lightly.
"Daddy," Little Croto pinched his face worriedly and asked, "Will you faint too?"
Davos looked at Little Croto and then at Christoia, and answered seriously, "For you, I can't faint."
… … … … … … … … …
Atilikrus, Agnes's father, whose family was one of the earliest immigrants to Ligium, a famous nobleman in Ligium. The famous tyrant Anak Silas came from this family decades ago, and even married the tyrant Dylon of Syracuse, but later fell out with Hieron, the tyrant who succeeded Syracuse, because of the Locri issue.
Initially, Dionysius's proposal to Agnes was not only because of her beauty, but also because of her family's influence in Ligium and its connection with Syracuse. But in the end, Ligium chose Daonia, and Atilikrus also married his daughter to Davos, the consul of Daonia, and Atilikrus was therefore elected as one of Ligium's generals by the citizens of Ligium for two consecutive years.
Atilikrus used Ligium's special geographical location to vigorously develop the family's maritime trade, especially earning huge commercial profits in trade with Massilia and Saguntum. In addition, Atilikrus also owns two shipyards, whose shipbuilding capabilities are among the best in southern Italy, so the Daionian Senate approved six of the ten trireme warships to be built this year to be built by Atilikrus's shipyard.
Of course, this is also a kind of appeasement of Daonia's alliance towards Ligium.
However, the scene when the father-in-law and son-in-law met was not as harmonious as imagined.
"What did you say?! Let Ligium hand over the existing six trireme warships in its fleet to Daonia!"
"Yes. We will still pay you according to the price of the new ships, and at the same time, you can use the new ships to upgrade your fleet. Isn't this very good?"
"No, this is not good! We cannot give you our existing warships, which will greatly weaken the strength of Ligium's fleet!"
"You only have to wait a few more months to use the new ships."
"That won't work either. The Messinans are now very rampant with the support of that tyrant of Syracuse. We must have enough warships to deter them! Why can't you wait a few more months! Don't worry, the warships built by my shipyard will definitely be delivered to Daonia on time."
"Our navy is stepping up training in new tactics and urgently needs new warships to join us to familiarize ourselves with and adapt to the tactics as soon as possible…"
"New tactics? What new tactics are making you so anxious?!…"
… …
The slave outside the living room heard Atilikrus's voice getting louder and louder, as if they were arguing, and ran to tell Agnes.
When Agnes heard this, she felt a little helpless. She grew up under her father's roar since she was a child. Even now that she is the wife of the most powerful consul in southern Italy, she still feels uneasy about trying to persuade her father, who is discussing matters with her husband, so she had to go to Christoia again.
Christoia, who was taking a walk in the garden, listened to Agnes's request, looked at the sky, and smiled confidently: "Sister, don't worry, I will persuade them."
She gave Asina a few instructions, then came to the outside of the living room, listened for a while, and walked directly in, smiling and saying: "Davos, Lord Atilikrus, I'm sorry to interrupt you. Dinner is already prepared, and the children are waiting. Will you talk after dinner, or—"
"Of course, we'll talk after dinner." As soon as Davos heard that the children were hungry, he couldn't sit still. He said to his father-in-law, "Let's have dinner and come back to talk." Then he stood up.
Atilikrus glared at Christoia, but he couldn't say anything to a pregnant woman, so he had no choice but to follow her out of the living room.
… … … … … … … … … …
"Davos, to be honest, the fish soup your family makes is much better than the one made in your restaurant in Ligium. Do you have any secrets?!" Atilikrus, who loves fish, ate the dinner specially prepared for him, very satisfied, and forgot his previous unhappiness, and started joking.
"There are no secrets. There are many customers in the restaurant and time is tight, so the chef doesn't have enough time to cook it properly. But here, the marinating of the fish alone takes more than an hour," Davos explained.
"Well, it's done very well!" Atilikrus praised, took another big sip, and then asked, "Have you tasted the fish sauce I sent last time?"
"I've tasted it. The taste is very special. It's both salty and umami, and there's also a very stimulating taste…My chefs are using it as a sauce and trying to pair it with other foods…" Davos said.
"That's fish sauce made by the Phoenicians, produced in Gades. Gades is not only famous for producing silver, this thing is very famous in North Africa, Iberia, Carthage, western Sicily, the coast of Egypt, and the coast of Asia Minor. Many places regard it as a delicious seasoning…" Atilikrus took a sip of wine, rinsed his mouth, and then said, "There are only two kinds of processing workshops in Gades, one is for refining silver and the other is for making fish sauce, and they each account for about half."
"Oh, Gades." Davos knew about this town. It is located at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula and is famous for producing silver. It was first built as a settlement by Tyre, the powerful mother state of Phoenicia in Asia Minor, and is now controlled by the Carthaginians. He didn't expect it to have this industry in addition to silver.
"It is said that this fish sauce is made from a…um, a mixture of rotten mackerel intestines and vinegar. I—" Atilikrus had just said this when he heard a sound of "Ouch". Agnes leaned on the dining table and began to vomit.
At this time, Atilikrus was initially angry because his daughter interrupted him, but soon he realized something and immediately looked at Davos with an eager look.
"I haven't had time to tell you yet." Davos said with a smile, "Agnes is pregnant."
"That's great! She's finally pregnant! It's been more than two years since we got married, and Christoia is about to have her second child, but her belly hasn't moved yet. I was worried that Artemis was punishing her (referring to the fact that Agnes was first a priestess of the famous virgin goddess Artemis, and then became a priestess of Hera and got married), but now I can finally rest assured!" Atilikrus laughed happily, raised his glass and said, "This is a great happy event! Davos, let's have a drink!"
"Okay!" Davos also raised his glass, and the two drank it all in one gulp.
Atilikrus put down his glass and burped.
Davos saw that Agnes was still leaning on the table vomiting, and hurriedly signaled Christoia to ask someone to help her down to rest.
At this time, Atilikrus said, "Davos, it's rare to be so happy today. I've decided to agree to your previous suggestion and hand over the six trireme warships in the Ligium…uh…Ligium fleet for your use first. As for other suggestions, such as the joint training of the two fleets, I have to go back and discuss with the council before I can give you an answer."
When Christoia saw this, she knew that Davos and the others were about to start talking about official business again, so she hurriedly called the children to leave.
Little Klotos Kataksus had just climbed onto his father's lap when his mother tried to take him away, making him cry and fuss in protest.
Davos, preoccupied, turned to Artilikrus and said, "The Daonian Senate will be very pleased to hear this news. I hope—"
Artilikrus waved his hand, interjecting, "However, Regium also has a small request, which it hopes Daonia will agree to!"
The Greeks of Southern Italy all said that the people of Regium were merchants, concerned with every penny. Artilikrus was an exemplar of this, truly not acting without benefit! Davos braced himself and said, "Please speak."
"As you know, the tyrant of Syracuse has rebuilt Messina. Messina is now completely aligned with Syracuse, opposing Regium in every way. Moreover, it has an accomplice—Tyndaris, a colony where that tyrant settled Messenians. It's not far from Messina. These two city-states, in alliance, frequently disrupt trade routes in the strait and even sometimes detain merchant ships trading with Regium… If this continues, no merchant ships will dare to trade with Regium, and Regium will be ruined!" Artilikrus said with a worried expression.
"We have protested to Messina many times, but to no avail. We have also sent envoys to Syracuse, but that tyrant simply refuses to meet with our envoys! Therefore, after deliberation, our council has decided to build a colony on the Mylae peninsula to settle exiles from Sicilian city-states such as Catania, Naxos, and Leontini…"
"Wait a moment." Davos turned to a slave standing nearby and said, "Quickly, fetch the map of Sicily from the study." Although Davos made it a habit to look at maps every day, compared to his familiarity with Southern Italy, his memory of Sicily's terrain and the locations of its city-states was somewhat lacking.
"Catania, Naxos, and other Sicilian city-states were destroyed by Dionysius, and their exiles are certainly filled with hatred for Syracuse." Davos knew that many city-states in Magna Graecia sheltered Sicilian exiles. This was because Magna Graecian city-states were wary of Syracuse and were therefore likely to help those opponents driven out by Syracuse. Davos naturally thought of Aristilas at this moment.
"That's for sure, so they won't be easily won over by that tyrant!" Artilikrus said resentfully.
At this moment, the map was brought over, and Davos spread it out on the wooden table, which had already been cleared of tableware.
"This is Messina… This is Tyndaris…" Davos carefully examined the map.
Artilikrus also leaned in to look at the parchment map. Clearly, it was specially drawn, not only on a large scale but also meticulously detailed, no less so than the one kept in the Regium city hall. It seemed that his son-in-law was paying no small amount of attention to Sicily. Even the newly built Carthaginian Lilybaeum, the new city of Messina, Tauromenium… the locations of these recently established city-states were clearly marked, and some destroyed city-states were also marked, with explanations provided alongside them. For example, on Himera on the northern coast, it was written, "Destroyed by the Carthaginian commander Hannibal during the Sicilian War launched fifteen years ago."
"Here is the Mylae peninsula…" Davos's finger finally settled on the northeastern corner of Sicily. The Mylae peninsula, described as a peninsula, felt to Davos on the map more like a prominent cape. It was located right between Messina and Tyndaris. The location chosen for this colony was truly brilliant, perfectly positioned to cut off the connection between the two cities. It was important to know that both Messina and Tyndaris were new cities (Messina had been destroyed by Carthage) and their strengths were not great. Although Syracuse supported them, Syracuse controlled so many city-states that it couldn't fully support Messina and Tyndaris. While Regium's strength was not as great as Syracuse's, it was also a powerful and wealthy state, pouring a large amount of resources into this soon-to-be-built city, quickly allowing it to surpass Messina and Tyndaris in strength, thereby achieving the purpose of containing and deterring them.
However, there was an important question here.
"Have you considered Syracuse's attitude?" Davos asked in a deep voice.
"According to ancient tradition, any Greek city-state has the right to establish colonies, especially since the location of our new city is not within the territories of Messina and Tyndaris…" Artilikrus said plausibly.
"With Dionysius's personality, he won't consider any Greek traditions." Davos didn't think much of it, and said with a serious expression, "He finally managed to control western Sicily, but now an external force wants to extend its reach into his sphere of influence. Do you think he'll agree to it?"
"That's why I came to Thurii. Regium hopes to get your support!" Artilikrus said eagerly, "To this end, Regium is willing to place our fleet under Daonian command."
Originally, the city-states within the Daonian League did not have such freedom to bargain with Daonia. However, Regium was the only strong Magna Graecian state to join the league, and it was different from other affiliated small states. The Daonian Senate showed it sufficient tolerance and respect. Furthermore, in order to enhance Daonia's say in the Southern Italian League, Davos invited Regium to join the Southern Italian League last year. Other city-states such as Croton did not strongly oppose it, showing the influence of Regium, this veteran strong state. This also made Regium the only Magna Graecian city-state that belonged to both the Daonian League and the Southern Italian League.
Davos remained silent. Support? Easier said than done. This meant war, and Daonia was currently trying to avoid this from happening. Otherwise, why would it sign a treaty of friendship with Syracuse? Regium was trying to drag Daonia into the water!
"I think such an important matter must be decided after discussion by the Senate, and even needs to be discussed with other city-states in the Southern Italian League," Davos said vaguely, not giving an immediate answer.
After finally seeing off Artilikrus, who looked unhappy, Davos continued to pace back and forth in the living room, thinking about the issue of the Strait of Messina.
Finally, he called for Aristilas.
"War will definitely break out!" Aristilas said definitively, "The reason why Messina and Tyndaris dare to infringe on Regium so boldly is because Dionysius is supporting them from behind. Perhaps what Regium wants to do is exactly what he hopes for. He can just launch a war against Regium, not only to retaliate against Regium—" Aristilas said here, glancing at Davos.
Davos didn't care about what he was implying and said, "Continue."
"Moreover, if Syracuse occupies Regium and controls the entire Strait of Messina, Dionysius can tax passing merchant ships to support his massive army. Your Excellency, according to intelligence, Syracuse has demanded a large amount of war reparations from Carthage in the negotiations and is using this money to buy grain, build warships, and pay mercenaries, not just to deal with Regium!" Aristilas said worriedly.
Davos pondered silently, knowing all this information.
Aristilas then said in a deep voice, "In addition… Your Excellency, from the intelligence recently gathered in Daonia, I have discovered a situation that I hope will attract your attention."
"Oh, what is it?" Davos looked at him.
"Now, among the prospective citizens and registered freemen, a kind of worry is spreading. They are worried that even if they become formal citizens of Daonia, they will not be able to obtain land…" Aristilas said slowly.
Davos raised his eyebrows. Indeed, the plains within the Daonian League's territory had been basically divided. Only the Lucanian mountains and the Bruttian region had some remaining land, but that was not enough to distribute to so many prospective citizens.
"So they want to leave?" Davos's lips curled slightly, saying half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"Daonia is a paradise for freemen, how could they leave!" Aristilas paused, emphasizing, "They hope for war, to seize more land through war, to shorten the years to become citizens by participating in battles, and to win the opportunity for land allotments through achievements!"
Davos's mood sank slightly. This set of military merit system he designed for Daonia could be said to be the source of attracting Greek freemen to flock to Daonia, and also the reason for stimulating their desire for battle and fearlessness.
"Those who forget war will surely be endangered, and those who love war will surely perish…" Davos muttered this sentence. The command of the Daonian army must be firmly controlled in his hands, otherwise, once it is out of control, the consequences will be unimaginable. But now, Daonia is still weak and needs this system to strengthen itself.
"Land, eh…" Davos stroked his chin. Daonia had indeed reached a bottleneck in expansion: to the south, there was powerful Syracuse; to the north, the Samnites. Davos knew well that the Romans in his past life had spent decades conquering this warlike race, suffering several defeats in the process. Before being prepared, Daonia would not easily provoke them; further east was the territory of the Messapians and Peucetians. In terms of distance, that was the closest place to Daonia, but these two races were not easy to deal with and had united. Daonia would need to do its utmost to conquer them, but the current situation did not allow it, and there was also Tarentum in the middle, whose relationship with Daonia was not very harmonious. Without its full support, Davos would not dare to send troops to attack Messapia.
As for the west, there was the vast sea and several large islands, such as Sardinia, Corsica, and the Balearic Islands, most of which were controlled by Carthage. Davos did not yet have the courage to offend another powerful force in the western Mediterranean while facing the threat from Syracuse. As for occupying a territory in Gaul, Davos had never considered it. Not to mention that the Daonian navy was not very strong, such a long-distance transoceanic attack would not only drain the country's resources but also might not be able to hold it.
Daonia's expansion was truly restricted. How should he break the situation? Davos fell into deep thought…
............…
September was the Daonians' favorite month, not only because it was the harvest season, but also because it was the month of the birth of Hades, the patron god of Daonia (i.e., September 9th). At that time, there would be not only lively celebrations, but also the Daonian League's national American football final, which was a month of national carnival for Daonia, especially in Thurii.
Therefore, while many Greek city-states, led by Athens, called September Elaphebolion (i.e., the month of the deer-hunting festival, used to worship the hunting goddess Artemis), Daonia officially designated September as the Month of Hades. Similarly, April was designated as the Month of Marriage, used to worship Hera, while many Greek city-states set the month of marriage in July…
It can be seen that Daonia had begun to gradually differ from traditional Greek city-states in terms of life, customs, and culture.
On this day, a young man came to the port of Thurii. His name was Megaris. He was of medium height and not very strong, but his body was well-proportioned and athletic.
Obviously, it was his first time in Thurii. He did not expect that there would be so many ships in the port. It took him a long time to get to the dock, and then he struggled to squeeze out of the port. Outside the port, even the carriages and trucks for hire had long been taken, so he had to walk for more than an hour to get to the outside of Thurii, where a long queue had already formed.
Megaris was not in a hurry. He waited in line in order, listening to the people around him talking excitedly about "what kind of large-scale performance will be held at this year's Hades celebration in Victory Square or guessing which city's team will win this year's American football game…" while moving forward with the crowd. By the time he faced the city guards' inspection, it was already past noon.
Although he was hungry and thirsty, he had to be patient and answer the city guards' questions.
"Are you a Daonian citizen? If not, please go back. These days, foreigners and freedmen are not allowed to enter Thurii!"
"I am a Daonian citizen, named Megaris, living in Crimisa, number 1356…" Megaris said fluently.
The city guard stared at him and said, "Show me your identity card." According to Davos's proposal, Daonia had begun to make a palm-sized copper plate for each official citizen since the year before last (Thurii had copper mines, so it was relatively convenient). The front was engraved with the citizen's name, and the back was engraved with the city of residence and the city's citizen number. This was just a simple identity verification, but it was a great innovation in this era, which facilitated Daonia's management of the flow of citizens within its territory, especially for the public officials of the household registration department. For example, if a citizen living in Thurii committed a crime in the city of Asprustum, the city would record the crime and send it to the household registration office of Thurii by postal vehicle. The public officials would first have to find the citizen's file before they could record the crime. There were tens of thousands of citizens in Thurii, and many citizens had the same name, so it was very troublesome to find the file. Now, with the city citizen number, it was easy to find. Moreover, although the identity copper plate was simple to make, each city number was unique, and it was easy to check whether it was forged. Once someone forged it, according to Daonian law, it was a serious crime, and no one would dare to do it.
Megaris calmly took out the copper plate from his pocket and handed it to the city guard.
The city guard looked at it carefully and threw the copper plate back to him. Many people entered and exited Thurii every day.
Of course, the city guard could not register them. He pointed to the bulging package on Megaris's back and said, "What's inside?"
"They are all coins I brought. You know, the American football game will last for nearly a month, and the expenses will definitely be high," Megaris said.
"Open it and let me see," the city guard said with a serious face.
Megaris reluctantly opened it.
"Clang, clang…" The city guard reached in, fiddled with it twice, and it was indeed all coins. Then he nodded and said, "Go in."
Megaris carried the package on his back and took two steps.
"By the way," the city guard shouted from behind. Megaris's heart suddenly jumped.
"You'd better deposit all the money in the Christoia Bank and withdraw it when you need it. That's safer."
Megaris breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him repeatedly.
After entering the city, according to the map he had seen before, he asked people all the way and finally found this hotel not far from the Daonia Arena.
There were already many people in the lobby.
Megaris squeezed to the counter. The waiter inside glanced at him and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, the rooms here are full."
"I have a reservation," Megaris replied immediately.
The waiter was stunned and quickly asked, "What room number? Who made the reservation?"
"Room 17, Aurora's reservation," Megaris replied fluently.
The waiter immediately opened the register to check: "That's right, Room 17, it was indeed reserved for five days first, so your name is Megaris?"
Megaris showed him the copper plate.
After the waiter confirmed, he nodded and said, "Please come with me." After speaking, he led Megaris upstairs.
"Lucky guy," someone muttered in the lobby. In fact, many of the people who came to participate in the celebration lived directly in the homes of the people of Thurii. Only some newly promoted citizens or probationary citizens had to live in hotels because they had no friends or acquaintances in Thurii.
Megaris entered the room. After the waiter left, he quickly bolted the door and carefully looked at the interior layout.
Then he walked to the bed, moved it outward with force, reached under the bed on the side close to the wall to grope, and soon took out something tightly wrapped in linen.
He carefully opened it and saw a blue and translucent dagger inside…
...............
In the following days, Megaris traveled all over the streets and alleys of Thurii, especially the Temple of Hades, which he visited many times to observe the terrain. Except for carefully inquiring about the celebration from the Thurians on the right wing, he was always alone and tried not to contact others.
It was just that he had developed a habit in Thurii: he fell in love with the cuisine of the Christoia Restaurant. Although he had experienced many death tests on the battlefield, this mission still put a lot of pressure on him. Where was the best place to relieve stress in a city-state? Of course, it was a restaurant (but in Daonia, it was the arena).
As a mercenary who had always lived a simple life, Megaris was soon captured by the cuisine of the Christoia Restaurant. Hot pot with beef and mutton, hot pot with tripe, fresh fish soup, honey bread, fried cod… every dish made him drool, so he quickly learned some of the "bad habits" of the Daonian rich: spending all three meals a day in the restaurant.
But he forgot one thing: in order to be able to stay in a room in Thurii in time, he came eight days before the celebration on September 9th. The food at the Christoia Restaurant was not cheap, especially during the celebration, when the city was crowded and the prices of various consumer goods were rising, and the food was naturally even more so. After a few days, Megaris found that his "Hades silver coins" were used up, so he had to pay with the currencies of other city-states, but the restaurant waiter refused to accept them and said: Except for the silver coins issued by Daonia, they did not accept the currencies of other city-states.
Megaris was helpless, and also for convenience, he brought all the money in his package to the Christoia Bank.
He finally got his turn. The bank employee asked him from the counter through the iron window: "Are you depositing money or withdrawing money?"
"Exchange for Daonian silver coins," Megaris patted the baggage on his shoulder.
The employee looked at it and handed out a piece of papyrus: "Write down the name of the currency you want to exchange, and the quantity…"
Megaris looked embarrassed: "I… I can't read."
The employee obviously encountered this situation frequently. He continued in an unchanged tone: "Then… you tell me how much currency you want to exchange, and then put the money you want to exchange in here, watch me confirm it for you, do you agree?"
Megaris hesitated for a moment and nodded in agreement, and then told the employee the type and number of currencies he wanted to exchange, etc.
The employee listened and took notes. When he heard "Syracuse four drachmas", the iron pen trembled slightly, but Sicilian merchants often came to Thurii to deposit money and exchange coins, and this kind of coin was not uncommon.
After he finished recording, when Megaris stuffed the baggage into the window, he called another employee to count and review it.
When opening the baggage to count the coins, the employee looked at it seemingly casually, but actually very carefully. The "Syracuse four drachma silver coins" accounted for the largest number of coins in the baggage, and some of them were brand new. His heart could not help but beat faster…
...............
"Lord Ansitanos, you must persuade this child when you go to Laos this time! He has only been the chief executive for a few days, and his butt hasn't even warmed the chair yet, and he wants to revise the laws of Laos and strictly manage the illegal activities in the city of Laos…" Davos said with some disappointment: "This is declaring war on the nobles of Laos (actually the former chieftains of small tribes), and he also clamors to give the common people more rights. Humph! Who does he think he is? Even his father didn't dare to do this! What does he think Laos is? Daonia, or Athens? No, he simply doesn't know that Laos doesn't count as a real Greek city, it's just a change of name for an old tribal alliance…"
"Hennipolis is still young! He has just grasped power and has become somewhat carried away. He doesn't understand the actual situation in Laos and always wants to do things according to his own ideas…" Ansitarnos spoke gently, defending his disciple.
"Daonia needs a stable Laos. No matter what Hennipolis thinks, what he should do now is stabilize the order of Laos and slowly establish his own prestige. Lord Ansitarnos, after you go, tell him that governing Laos should not be too hasty. With Daonia's support, his wishes will surely be realized in the future!" After Davos vented his anger, his mood improved a bit, and he solemnly made his promise: "In addition, you must also advise him to listen more to the opinions of the ministers under his father, to respect them more, especially his uncle Aro Bromas, and to discuss things with him more…"
"I understand, Lord Davos. I will do my best to persuade Hennipolis," Ansitarnos replied seriously.
"By the way, how is Lysias's progress on writing the Hades Festival Ode? The festival is about to begin in two days," Davos asked with concern.
"It's almost finished. Although he expressed dissatisfaction with some of the requirements you made, believing that they limited his thinking, this is, after all, a great honor, and it will be recited in front of tens of thousands of Daionian citizens. He's overjoyed," Ansitarnos said jokingly.
Davos also laughed: "Of course, I hope that through this new ode, he will properly prove to me and the Senate that the official Daionian citizenship I specially applied for him is worthwhile!"
… … … … … … … … … … …
"Lord Davos, this year's wheat harvest looks like it will be another bumper one. However, if we buy more wheat, I'm afraid we won't have anywhere to store it," Baccherippi said. Since Bulkos resigned in shame, and in view of the fact that the storm that shocked Daonia had not yet subsided and the sensitivity of this position, Davos ultimately proposed that the senators elect Senator Baccherippi of Bruti to take the post.
Originally, everyone thought he was just a transitional figure, but unexpectedly, after taking office, he acted decisively. First, he flatly rejected Prosecutor Sesta's continued review of the Ministry of Agriculture in the Poluxis case. Sesta naturally disagreed, and the two sides took the case to Davos. In the end, Davos, at Baccherippi's persuasion, stopped expanding the case, which won him the gratitude of the public officials under his command.
Then, he thoroughly investigated the situation of the Ministry of Agriculture and, after consulting with former Agriculture Officer Bulkos many times, promulgated a new departmental system that strengthened supervision, improved administrative efficiency, and reduced the burden on his subordinates. For example, Bulkos often personally went to the countryside to understand the situation of the fields when he was in office, and he required his subordinates to do the same. Baccherippi believed that this method was not advisable. He delegated this responsibility to the village chiefs, and the public officials under the Ministry of Agriculture only needed to conduct regular inspections and receive reports.
Then, he proposed to the Senate to increase the salaries of the public officials of the Ministry of Agriculture. The reason was that the Ministry of Agriculture personnel had too much labor intensity, often having to run all over the alliance, and even go down to the fields to assist in planting, and they simply had no time to take care of their own farmland. This proposal was of course not passed. After all, if only the Ministry of Agriculture was given a salary increase, what would the staff of other departments think?
However, Baccherippi won the support of all the public officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.
"Your opinion is to build more granaries?" Davos thought for a moment and said.
"Lord, I think the number of granaries in Thurii, Cosentia, and Grumentum is already sufficient," Baccherippi replied seriously. The establishment of granaries and the strategic reserve of grain was proposed by Davos after careful consideration after experiencing the Bruti War. The slogan "Prepare for war, prepare for famine" moved the other senators, and it was approved to build granaries around the central cities of the three regions of Thurii, Cosentia, and Grumentum to store grain, and they were equipped with guards. It has been implemented for two years now.
"I have carefully checked the situation in the three granaries.
The wheat stored the year before last is already a bit moldy. If it is left there, I am afraid it will all spoil, which would be a great pity. It is better to sell it and free up space to buy new grain…" Baccherippi seriously suggested.
Davos nodded and said, "Since that's the case, let's do as Lord Baccherippi says."
After sending Baccherippi away, Davos saw Aristas waiting outside the living room: "What's the matter?"
"Lord, newly arrived intelligence—" Aristas said in a low voice.
Davos took the small piece of papyrus, unfolded it, and his face suddenly turned cold: "Have you verified it?"
"Yes, Lord. Tratus specially went to Crimisa to investigate. He only returned on horseback today. His bronze badge is forged. While he was away, we secretly sent someone to open his room and found a poisoned dagger…" Aristas slowly said, word by word, without any emotion.
"Looks like he's coming for me! Syracuse Tetradrachm… Hmph, Dionysius!" Davos sneered twice, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, suppressing the violent impulse in his heart, pacing back and forth in the corridor.
Finally, he stopped, and a few more traces of determination appeared on his gloomy face, and he said in a deep voice: "Since he is still not reconciled, then let him come, and make a bigger commotion!"
Aristas understood and hurried down to make arrangements.
Afterwards, Davos sent someone to call back Baccherippi, who was still on the road, almost completely overturning his previous decision, and making a tough decision: not only would he not sell the old grain from previous years, but he also demanded that Baccherippi purchase a large amount of newly released wheat, preferably completed in a short period of time, and he would have Melsis provide national treasury gold and silver for full cooperation.
Baccherippi felt that Davos's sudden change of attitude was a bit strange, but he rationally didn't ask any more questions, but chose to agree.
… … … … … … … … …
For the past two days, Megaris had been soaking in restaurants every day, enjoying the delicacies, and had almost spent all the money he had brought.
Returning to his room late at night, he bolted the door, lit the candle, took out the dagger from under the bed again, and, recalling the promise made by that lord before his departure, he stared at the dagger in his hand, lost in thought.
The candlelight reflected the light of the blade on his face, a deep, dark blue…
… … … … … … … … …
September 9th, the birthday of Hades, the King of the Underworld. The Daionian celebration ceremony was as usual, and tens of thousands of Daionian citizens had packed Victory Square.
The music began, and the priestesses of the temple began to chant the hymn to Hades.
After several years of subtle influence, the people were already somewhat familiar with this novel way of singing, so the singing resounded simultaneously on and off the stage, throughout the city, which was quite spectacular.
Next up was the large-scale square theatrical performance, which was also one of the programs that the people loved to watch most during the festival. But this time, it was neither the story of the Greek mercenaries who, guided by Hades, came from afar to Magna Graecia, nor the magnificent epic of the establishment of the Daionian League under the protection of Hades, nor other legendary stories of Hades, but a strong man appeared in the square, wearing a lion skin, holding a big stick, and trekking forward…
The people were too familiar with this image, and immediately someone shouted: "Heracles! Heracles!…"
Then, accompanied by heart-pounding drumbeats, an unusually tall man walked into the square (actually on stilts, with a longer piece of cloth covering the lower part). Although the appearance was a bit strange, the people were already pleasantly surprised: it was actually a giant!
The main version of the story of "Heracles vs. the Giants" takes place in Africa, but many South Italians insist that this battle took place in South Italy. Now it seems that the Daionian League has fulfilled their expectations.
On the field, "Heracles" and "Giant" engaged in a fight… and eventually "Giant" was killed.
The people cheered.
At this time, a group of people dressed in Bruti costumes ran onto the stage, led by a woman in gorgeous clothes, and they congratulated "Heracles." Soon, "Heracles" and the woman took hands…
Many people were puzzled, but the Bruti-descended Daionian citizens understood the scene, and they shouted excitedly: "Queen Valentia!"
"Heracles!"
"Brutus!"
… …
Prompting other people to ask them: What exactly is going on?
Music from the Bruti mountains rang out in the square, and the Bruti people danced the traditional Bruti celebration dance around "Heracles" and "Queen Valentia."
The people outside the field, led by the Bruti people, also began to dance…
Lysias looked at this lively and grand scene. As the dean of the Faculty of Arts of the Daionian Academy, his perspective on appreciating this program was naturally different from that of ordinary people: "I bet that this performance must have been suggested by Consul Davos. His intentions are very deep!" His words revealed his appreciation for Davos. It was after meeting with Davos that he made up his mind to move to Thurii.
"In the Daionian League, Lucanians and Bruti account for a considerable number. 'Ethnic harmony and integration' is a term that Consul Davos has repeatedly mentioned in the Senate, and he is constantly making efforts!" Ansitarnos said with emotion.
"Yes, this is quite difficult, and it will take a lot of time!" Unlike Isocrates, Lysias was not an "Athens First" or "Greeks First" person. On the contrary, after staying in Athens for many years, he was deeply touched by Athens' xenophobia and conservatism. He felt that he had found the main reason why Daonia could rise so quickly.
At this time, the large-scale square performance had ended. Ansitarnos said with a smile: "Lysias, I can't wait to hear the Hades Ode you wrote!"
Lysias said confidently: "I believe I won't let you down!"