The generals of Turii, gripped by panic, gathered in urgent deliberation with the city council. Their decision: to send an envoy to Crotone, pleading for forgiveness and offering any reparations necessary to avert war.
When word of this reached Andolara, the news stunned Juleios and the Senate elders. The murder of an envoy—a representative of the city-state—was a grave taboo, tantamount to declaring war.
Andolara responded swiftly, canceling its plans to participate in the Isthmian Gas. Instead, they began closely monitoring the situation, recognizing its potential to spiral into a full-scale conflict.
In the courtyard of his residence, Konogorata lounged on a couch, recovering from his injuries. His eldest son, Sostatus, ca rushing in, his excitent barely contained.
"Father! This is wonderful! The Turians are about to face divine punishnt for their arrogance!"
But Konogorata’s expression remained somber. The forr chief general of Turii sighed heavily. "I warned them. I told them again and again—Neonisis would bring disaster upon Turii!"
anwhile, Turii’s envoy arrived in Crotone, only to find that the generals there were already well-inford of the events through rchant ships. The envoy’s desperate pleas for peace and promises of reparations were t with cold indifference.
"We can take what we want from Turii ourselves, as much as we please," one general replied scornfully.
Crotone’s leadership had long harbored resentnt toward Turii. Since defeating Sybaris nearly a century ago, Crotone had risen to beco a dominant power in Magna Graecia. However, the establishnt of Turii—an Athenian initiative—was a bitter compromise forced upon them. This incident provided a golden opportunity to settle old scores while replenishing their coffers.
That sa day, the Crotone assembly unanimously passed a resolution to declare war on Turii. Citizen mobilization began imdiately.
Within three days, Crotone had gathered an army of 7,000 citizen-soldiers. They were joined by 3,000 additional troops from allied city-states Asprustum and Siritin. Though Trina, still recovering from recent conflicts, contributed only 30 cavalry, Caulonia offered to join. However, Crotone declined, needing Caulonia as a southern bulwark against the Locrian Alliance.
On the fourth day, after offering sacrifices at the Temple of Apollo and receiving favorable ons, General lanthius led the grand army of 10,000 soldiers toward Turii. The war between Crotone and Turii had officially begun.
When word of Crotone’s advancing army reached Turii, Neonisis was overco with dread. On the advice of his colleagues, he convened an ergency citizen assembly.
Standing before the gathered citizens, Neonisis delivered an impassioned speech. He recounted the council’s failed attempts at peace and the Crotonians’ dismissive response. The news enraged the citizens, but their anger quickly gave way to fear when Neonisis revealed that Crotone’s army numbered 10,000 strong.
A heavy silence filled the hall. Though smaller than the Lucanian coalition they had previously faced, the Crotonian force was a Greek heavy infantry unit, renowned for their discipline and combat prowess.
Breaking the silence, a vineyard owner nad Oriphes shouted, "Send another envoy to Crotone! Seek peace at any cost—even if it ans surrendering to their demands!"
"But what can we offer?" countered General Polyxius. "Our treasury is empty. Unless we impose yet another war tax, we cannot afford reparations."
The ntion of taxes drew groans from the assembly. The war-weary citizens, battered by years of conflict, reluctantly agreed to additional taxation, though doubts lingered that this would satisfy Crotone’s demands.
Plessinas, his voice fervent, declared, "We can regain lost wealth, but if we lose our loved ones, it will be too late for regrets!"
The proposal passed, offering Neonisis a brief reprieve.
"Why not ask Tarantum for help?" suggested Enianilus, the owner of Turii’s largest shipyard. "Tarantum advocates for unity in Magna Graecia. Surely, they won’t want city-states fighting each other. Their influence might compel Crotone to reconsider war!"
"An excellent idea, Enianilus!" Neonisis replied eagerly. He nodded in agreent, understanding the weight Enianilus’s words carried. "We’ll dispatch an envoy to Tarantum imdiately!"
But another citizen, Ancitanus, stood and raised a pointed question. "What if peace negotiations fail? What if Crotone insists on war? What then?"
Neonisis swallowed his pride and asked, "Honorable Ancitanus, do you have any recomndations?"
"First, we must prepare our defenses. Turii’s walls are tall and strong—they’ve withstood Lucanian assaults twice before. They can hold against Crotone, too," Ancitanus said confidently.
The citizens murmured in agreent.
"Second," Ancitanus continued, "we should request assistance from Andolara. Their soldiers are renowned for their bravery. With their help, we could bolster our defenses and stand a better chance!"
At the ntion of Andolara, Neonisis’s face tightened. His relationship with Juleios had been strained ever since the dispute over the escaped slaves. Yet, the citizens expressed unanimous support for Ancitanus’s proposal.
"I warned you before that souring relations with Andolara over a few slaves wasn’t worth it," soone muttered.
Neonisis’s face flushed with embarrassnt. Forcing a calm deanor, he said, "This is an excellent suggestion. Bourkos, could you undertake this task?"
Bourkos, usually mild-mannered, refused outright. "I am not capable enough for such a mission. Let Plessinas go instead—he’s more suited to the task."
Plessinas, realizing the risk, kept his head low and remained silent.
Neonisis sighed, knowing Bourkos’s refusal stemd from the council’s prior mishandling of the slave issue. Despite his frustration, he had no choice. "Bourkos, this is a matter of life and death for Turii. Only you can handle this. Please, go to Andolara and appeal to Juleios!"
Bourkos finally relented, his satisfaction at Neonisis’s discomfort evident.
While Turii debated its next steps, Crotone’s army continued its advance. After half a day’s march, they reached the gates of Krimisa.
Krimisa, a forr Sybarite colony, had joined the Crotone Alliance after Sybaris’s fall. When Turii was rebuilt, an agreent mandated Krimisa’s neutrality.
Now, faced with Crotone’s overwhelming force, Krimisa opened its gates without resistance. Not only that, but they volunteered 1,000 n to join Crotone’s forces.
lanthius, the commander of Crotone’s army, was a man of legend. A two-ti Olympic wrestling champion and victor of the Isthmian Gas, he was celebrated for his strength and skill. Though unyielding on the battlefield, his soldiers often resented his tendency to claim all credit for victories.
As the war began to unfold, Juleios watched closely. He knew Andolara’s role in this conflict could shape the future of Magna Graecia. Together with his allies, he steeled himself for the challenges ahead.
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