"Other city-states treat land as their greatest treasure," Juleios began, his voice steady and commanding, "hoarding it like misers, refusing to share it with foreigners or freedn, unwilling to extend the wealth and prosperity of their city-states. But I..." He paused, letting his words hang in the air like a prophecy. "I believe that people are a city-state’s greatest wealth! Only with people can we cultivate fields, create wonders, and build prosperity!"
These words struck Kunogorata with the force of revelation. Though a seasoned statesman, he now glimpsed the daring vision behind Andolara’s policies. He understood how Juleios could promise land to new citizens while maintaining the city-state’s stability. The young consul’s declaration hinted at a deeper strategy, leaving Kunogorata deep in thought.
The silence was broken by Kunogorata’s eldest son, Sostatus. His sharp eyes scanned the nearly completed warehouses and inns scattered across the construction site. "I’ve heard of your plans to draw rchants from Thurii and beyond to store goods and find lodging here. Are these the warehouses and inns being built?"
Juleios nodded. "Indeed, these are the ones."
Sostatus studied the bustling work and asked, "You’re building quite a number of them. Will the city-state manage these directly?"
rsis, Andolara’s financial officer, stepped in with an eager response. "Of course not! The city-state doesn’t have enough officials for that, and every citizen has their own duties. We’ll hold public auctions to lease them out."
"Auction?" Sostatus’s rchant instincts stirred. He leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Can we participate?"
"You are more than welco!" rsis replied with enthusiasm, his tone suggesting he had already anticipated the question.
The Kunogorata family spent their first day settling into their new ho, weary from the labors of the move. But the next morning, the elder patriarch, driven by habit and restlessness, rose early. Assisted by a slave, he ventured outside for a walk before breakfast.
Their new dwelling was nestled at the base of Andolara’s hill. The remnants of war lood here, stark and undeniable—many houses stood empty, silent witnesses to the tragedy that had befallen the city. Only now, living amidst this reality, did Kunogorata begin to comprehend the depth of resentnt Andolara’s original citizens harbored toward Thurii.
Most of the vacant hos had been rented to freedn at low prices, and as Kunogorata walked, he observed these freedn hurrying off to work in small groups. Their faces bore a vitality, a hunger for life and opportunity that he had seldom seen among Thurii’s freedn. Despite his unfamiliar face, they greeted him warmly in accented Greek, their cheerfulness catching him off guard.
He understood the source of their enthusiasm. These n and won had tasted the bitterness of slavery and were now savoring the hope of a brighter future. Andolara’s policies allowed employers to pay a preparatory citizen tax for freedn, enabling them to beco preparatory citizens within two years. This tangible path to freedom and inclusion fueled their passion.
The morning was warm, but Andolara’s position on the hillside kept it cool, the alternating sea and mountain breezes refreshing the city. As Kunogorata ascended the road winding up the hill, he encountered citizens on their way to the fields. Old and new citizens mingled effortlessly, exchanging warm greetings and amiable chatter. Even the slaves accompanying them carried a lightness in their step, inspired by stories of rcenary slaves who had earned citizenship.
Kunogorata’s attention was drawn to the won walking alongside the n. Their features and conversation revealed their identity—Lucanian won. These were no freedwon earning wages but wives of citizens, accompanying their husbands to labor in the fields.
Kunogorata observed their interactions carefully. The sight of Greek n and Lucanian won working together in harmony was a subtle yet profound testant to Juleios’s ambition to integrate their forr enemies into Andolaran society.
"This young man’s vision knows no bounds," Kunogorata thought, admiration and intrigue stirring within him. "Under his leadership, this peculiar city has been revitalized so swiftly. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen!"
Further up the hill, Kunogorata noticed groups of children heading toward the plaza. When he inquired, he learned that disciples of the Pythagorean school were offering free mathematics lessons. The ntion of a Pythagorean school in Andolara surprised him. He recalled his first eting with Juleios and deduced this must be tied to Archytas.
When he arrived at the plaza, he saw a young man lecturing on mathematics to a rapt audience of citizens and children. The teacher was ntotekels, a Pythagorean disciple. Together with Matikoris, he had sought to establish a grand educational initiative in Andolara. Yet, Pythagorean traditions and elitism had initially made this challenging.
The turning point ca when Juleios introduced a revolutionary nurical system—the "Hades numbers." Unlike the cumberso Greek nurical notation, these numbers, identical to Arabic nurals, were simple and intuitive, transforming calculations and opening new horizons for mathematics.
ntotekels and Matikoris had eagerly embraced the system, calling it "a gift from the Divine of mathematics to improve humanity’s lives." Yet, their discipleship demanded exclusivity. Initially, rsis denied them access, declaring, "This is Lord Juleios’s teaching, a revelation from the Lord of the Underworld. His permission is required."
Surprisingly, Juleios granted it freely. "Mathematics," he explained, "cos from daily life and should return to it. Its purpose is to solve problems and enrich lives."
Inspired by Juleios’s philosophy, the disciples agreed to public lessons. Over ti, this initiative would lay the groundwork for a thriving mathematical community in Andolara.
The waterwheel project brought these principles to life. Juleios, inspired by waterwheels from his past life, had envisioned their use for irrigation. However, constructing one proved far more complex than anticipated. The disciples, with their mathematical and chanical expertise, took up the challenge eagerly.
At the Sinni River, the fruit of their labor was taking shape. A massive wooden wheel turned gracefully in the rushing current. Buckets affixed to its spokes filled with water, rising to the top before emptying into troughs. From there, the water flowed into a network of channels, bringing life to the dry fields of Andolara.
Standing by the riverbank, ntotekels marveled at the creation. "This is a perfect union of mathematics and the Divine!" he exclaid.
Juleios, watching the waterwheel turn, allowed himself a rare smile. He saw not just a device but a symbol of what Andolara could beco—a city-state where knowledge and unity forged a brighter future.
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