In the afternoon, Juleios urgently convened a eting of the Andolara Senate and invited Konogolata, as well as other notable citizens of Thurii, including Ansitanos , Bourkes , and more than a dozen other prominent figures. The list even included Praxinas and Polyx .
Arsistatus, puzzled, asked:
"Sir, why invite soone like Praxinas, who is untrustworthy and shaless, to the eting?"
Juleios seriously replied:
"To us, Praxinas is an untrustworthy person. But to the people of Thurii, he is a patriot who sacrificed his honor for the benefit of the city-state. We should respect soone like that!"
"What about Polyx? He’s a deserter!"
Juleios did not answer imdiately. He had consulted Kunogorata, and despite Kunogorata having been betrayed by Neonsisand Polyx, he pragmatically suggested inviting Polyx to the eting because the Polyx family held considerable influence among the settlers in Thurii from Piocia.
Since the people of Andolara ca to the aid of Thurii’s citizens, Praxinas had been deeply unsettled, even contemplating emigrating to another city-state. When an Andolaran ssenger approached him with an invitation, he was initially skeptical. However, upon hearing the words conveyed by the ssenger from Juleios, Praxinas shed tears.
The citizens of Thurii, who had been ticulously cared for by the people of Andolara over the past two days, felt guilt and resentnt toward Praxinas, blaming him for destroying the friendship between the two cities. Even his family mbers were distancing themselves from him. Juleios’s acknowledgnt moved Praxinas profoundly.
Inviting Praxinas also signaled to the citizens of Thurii that Andolara held no grudges, reassuring those who had opposed Andolara in the past.
Given the circumstances, the eting was held on a grassy field. Everyone sat in a circle on the ground, surrounded by guards for security.
At the eting, Juleios proposed the formation of a Thurii-Andolara Alliance, wherein citizens of both cities would share a single consul and senate. He also invited the Thurians present, including Kunogorata, to join the new senate as mbers.
This proposal had already been discussed and agreed upon with Andolara’s senators. The Thurians, being in a weaker position and heavily reliant on Andolara’s aid and protection, found the offer appealing, especially since they could beco senators.
News of the proposal quickly spread among the citizens of Thurii, who largely celebrated. The majority of them welcod the alliance because it allowed them to openly accept Andolara’s aid and the protection of its powerful soldiers. They no longer needed to fear betrayal or abandonnt, as they were now "one family."
The cheers reached the new Thuriian senators still in the eting, eliminating their last reservations.
Juleios then stated that, since Thurii and Andolara were now one, Andolara’s laws would apply to Thurii. The rights and obligations enjoyed by Andolara’s citizens would also extend to Thurii’s citizens.
Except for so minor objections from Thurii senators regarding the annual 1% land tax, Juleios’s proposals were overwhelmingly approved.
Next, Juleios proposed fulfilling the earlier promise: granting freedom to slaves who participated in the battle against the Lucanian coalition. Additionally, freen who had fought in the sa battle but did not betray Thurii by joining Crotone’s forces would beco reserve citizens of the new alliance. However, those freen who led the rebellion causing Thurii’s fall would face execution, as determined by Thurii’s people.
This proposal passed without controversy. The destruction of Thurii had led to deep reflection among its citizens, who recognized that their mishandling of freen and slaves was one of the primary causes of the disaster.
Hearing Juleios’s proposals, Praxinas looked slightly awkward. Unexpectedly, Juleios suggested that Praxinas take charge of their implentation. This gave Praxinas an opportunity to redeem himself, for which he was deeply grateful.
In reality, most freen involved in the Lucanian battle had joined the rebellion and followed Crotone’s forces to transport spoils of war, only to be captured by Andolara’s army. As for the slaves, many mining slaves fled into the mountains after Thurii’s fall, while most urban slaves chose to stay. Life under their familiar masters, though lacking freedom, was preferable to fleeing into harsher conditions or being captured by indigenous peoples.
Those who t the criteria for freedom were few, but for freen and slaves lingering near Thurii’s ruins, this proposal was a beacon of hope. They believed the legendary consul genuinely cared for freen and slaves, and as a lifelong consul, he represented future opportunities for freedom and citizenship.
This stabilized the emotions of freen and slaves, igniting their enthusiasm for the new alliance. Their numbers far exceeded the citizens of Thurii, ensuring the city’s security.
The first senate eting of the Thurii-Andolara Alliance was highly efficient. Several proposals aiding Thurii’s reconstruction were passed. Kunogorata, nominated by Juleios, was overwhelmingly elected as the city administrator of Thurii, receiving unanimous support from Thurii senators. His unreserved support for Thurii’s people earned their gratitude, and the politically savvy senators recognized Andolara’s dominance in the foreseeable future. Supporting Kunogorata, a trusted figure of Juleios, was in their best interest.
Because the two cities were close, only the city administrator position remained distinct for each city. Other offices were shared, with deputies or assistants sent to fulfill specific duties as needed.
A Thurii Reconstruction Committee was also established, led by Juleios, with Cornelius and Kunogorata assisting as city administrators.
Finally, Bourkos asked the pressing question on every Thurian’s mind:
"What if the Crotonians attack again?"
Juleios, unfazed, smiled and replied:
"I think we can leave that question for the military officer to answer."
Felicius (斐利修斯) stood up and said,
"Gentlen, let briefly report on the results of our army’s campaign. We deployed a total of 4,895 soldiers and eliminated approximately 6,000 enemies while capturing 9,000 prisoners (this is an extraordinarily high casualty ratio; on average, each Andolaran soldier eliminated more than one enemy. Under normal circumstances, even with Andolaran soldiers’ formidable combat effectiveness, such results would be impossible. This was only achieved because it was a surprise attack, with the Crotonians being drunk, asleep, unarmored, and unard at the ti). On our side, we only suffered 72 citizen deaths and 200 injuries."
Upon hearing this, the Thurian senators were dumbfounded.
Felicius continued,
"Among these 9,000 prisoners, about 5,000 are from Crotone (primarily because, during the camp setup, the Crotonians placed soldiers from other city-states on the periter)." He glanced at Juleios and said,
"We can use these prisoners to force Crotone into peace negotiations. Additionally, we can seek assistance from Tarentum ."
"Will Tarentum help us?" Bourkes asked skeptically, knowing that Thurii had previously made similar attempts. Tarentum had only sent symbolic envoys, who withdrew after failing to diate peace.
"With Crotone’s power significantly weakened, not only will Tarentum help us, but Locri (洛克里) might also take action!" said Kunogorata, who was well-versed in the political landscape of Magna Graecia.
"Consul, we should imdiately organize manpower to rebuild the city walls and attempt to form an alliance with Tarentum as soon as possible!"
"We are already allied with Tarentum!" Amyntas suddenly interjected.
"That’s different. The initial treaty with Tarentum was signed by Andolara. Now Andolara has beco the Thurii-Andolara Alliance," Antonios quietly explained to him.
Amyntas scratched his head awkwardly.
"Kunogorata, you’ve reminded that we do indeed need Tarentum’s assistance right now!" Juleios said. Though he spoke these words, he didn’t believe Tarentum’s aid was absolutely necessary. However, understanding Tarentum’s stance was crucial. Originally, Andolara was an inconspicuous ally of Tarentum, but now it had suddenly beco a two-city alliance with increased power. How would Tarentum perceive this? Kunogorata’s reminder was insightful. Juleios cast him a grateful glance.
Marigi and Ansitanos were dispatched to the Tarentum Senate.
When Tarentum’s consul and senators learned that Andolara had defeated Crotone’s army, they could hardly believe their ears. Over ten thousand Crotonian soldiers had been killed or captured in a single morning. These were not the undisciplined and ferocious but short-lived Lucanians—they were real Greek hoplites. Moreover, they were the renowned Crotonian hoplites, known for their athleticism and strength. How could Tarentum not be astounded by such a result?
"It seems that Juleios, blessed by the gods, has created yet another miracle!" Archita exclaid sincerely. There was no jealousy in his eyes, only curiosity. "I’d like to know how Juleios managed to defeat the Crotonians!"
Marigi briefly recounted the course of Andolara’s operations, emphasizing that it was a night raid and that the Crotonians, being overconfident and unprepared, had neglected proper camp construction, were drunk, and so on.
This was to temper their astonishnt.
Even so, the Tarentum senators were deeply impressed by Juleios’s military prowess. It was now evident that his earlier victory over the Lucanians had not been a fluke nor solely due to Tarentum’s reinforcents.
The Tarentum Senate began treating the emissaries from Andolara with greater respect.
One of the consuls, Eumachus , said,
"People of Andolara, since you have already achieved victory, what brings you to Tarentum? Are you here to flaunt your achievents?"
"Andolara has always held the utmost respect for Tarentum, who once saved us! We would never dare have such thoughts!" Marigi bowed respectfully and then explained,
"This ti, we have co because the Thurians, who have lost their holand, have ford an alliance with Andolara.
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