The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe

Kunogorata's solemn expression relaxed slightly. After a moment, he said, "Our war with Crotone won't be resolved in a few days. Therefore, ensuring rations for tens of thousands of soldiers is our primary concern."

Maligi immediately responded, "I'll rush to the market and suspend all wheat trading. I'll purchase all flour and other food products to prevent merchants from exploiting the news of the war and driving up prices. I also suggest going to Heraclea immediately to buy grain for reserves."

Davos nodded in agreement. Although Melses looked troubled, he still cooperated, accompanying Maligi to the treasury to collect the money.

At this time, Burkos stood and said, "It's wheat-planting season. With most citizens away at war, this year's harvest will suffer. I suggest suspending mining and organizing the city-state slaves to cultivate citizens' land. At the same time, we should offer incentives to the freedmen of the alliance to encourage voluntary assistance. This way, our fields won't lack labor."

"Burkos, you have considered this carefully," Davos said solemnly. "Cornerus, Kunogorata, and—(after all, Niutum is far away, and Cesta is generally in the city and cannot attend every Senate meeting)" His eyes moved to the back of the hall. "Wesba, Hermon, discuss with Burkos and formulate a feasible plan as soon as possible to ensure that our grain planting and grazing will not be affected by the outbreak of war."

"Understood," several people replied.

"Felicius, immediately issue a war mobilization order to all cities in the alliance! Send word to Laos and Castellon to provide reinforcements. And… tell Castellon to strengthen the city's defenses and burn the pontoon bridge over the Trionto River!"

Felicius hesitated. He wanted to say that the Trionto River had no bridge and could be crossed on foot, but out of trust and obedience to Davos, he saluted and said, "I'll send someone immediately."

"Plessinas," Davos said apologetically, "we have to suspend construction of the temple and invest all treasury revenue in this war."

"I understand. I agree!" Plessinas replied.

Davos nodded in satisfaction. Surveying the elders in the hall, he clenched his fists, raised his right arm, and declared, "My lords, Crotone has destroyed the cities of the Sybarite Plain three times! After we defeat it, it will envy Dionysia, fearing our growing power and desire for revenge. This war cannot be avoided. We must unite and defeat Crotone once again. We must avenge the burning of our city and secure a broader future for the Dionysian Alliance!"

"Fight! Fight! If we defeated Crotone once, we can do it again!" shouted Capus, Antonius, Amyntas, and other mercenary elders.

"Fight the Crotones to the death!" cheered Scombras, Proxilaus, and other Amendolara elders.

"Thurii must not be destroyed again! We must fight Crotone with all our might!" Some Thurii senators, including Burkes and Ansitanos, voiced their support.

"We Lucanians are also citizens of the alliance and will defend the Dionysian League with all our strength!" Vespa and Hermon, Lucanian senators, naturally supported Davos's decision.

Amid the clamor, the initially hesitant governors Cunogorata and Cornelus decisively committed to leading their officials and citizens in full war preparations.

"Boom!" As Marigi led his men to the market to buy food, the great bell, originally cast for the Temple of Hades but temporarily placed in front of the Great Council Hall, rang for the first time that day. Cavalry immediately galloped toward Amendolara, Niutum, Laos, and Castellon. Citizens, hearing the bell throughout the city, were mostly bewildered.

Meanwhile, patrols raced through the streets, shouting, "Citizens, attention! War has broken out! Those who have undergone military training, assemble immediately in the square!"

Across the Sybarite Plain, cavalrymen shouted the same message in every newly built village.

War had arrived suddenly, and people were understandably confused and panicked. However, six months of rigorous military training had instilled discipline and obedience in the citizens. They abandoned their chores, prayed before their home idols, hugged their families goodbye, and gathered weapons, equipment, and rations from all directions, heading toward Thurii's Victory Square.

Thurii's actions caught the attention of Tratus, who wrote in a secret letter: "Thurii has issued a mobilization order. People are rushing to buy food in the market. There has been rioting at the port, but it has been brought under control. The situation in other cities is not yet known."

After delivering the secret letter, Tratus saw freedmen hurrying to their humble huts, faces filled with sorrow. Regret welled up in his heart. After more than six months here, he had grown to love the city: riding in carriages, enjoying hot meals, and watching thrilling rugby matches. Life in Thurii was more vibrant and humane than in Crotone. If he were not a Crotone native, he might have stayed to become a Dionysian citizen. But alas…

The passenger ship Lysias, leaving the Corati River, did not return directly to Crotone along the coast. Instead, it first stopped at Castellon, whose leaders, unaware of the war, welcomed the ship out of courtesy.

When Lysias broke the news of the war, Castellon's generals and council were stunned.

Lysias warned, "The Crotones are gathering 40,000 troops, an unprecedented force in Magna Graecia! Castellon can survive only by seceding from the Dionysian Alliance and joining Crotone, or it will be destroyed!"

The Castelan council debated fiercely. While fearing Crotone, they also recognized the benefits of staying in the alliance: improved trade, increased income, and enhanced status. Dionysia had never discriminated against them or demanded tribute. On the contrary, it had always invited Castellon to important celebrations. The Castelan people fondly remembered the stability under Sybaris a century ago.

In the end, Castellon refused Lysias. Chief general Amycles said politely, "According to Dionysian League rules, we cannot sign treaties with other city-states. I'm sorry."

Lysias left the port reluctantly.

Soon, Dionysian cavalry arrived, informing Castellon that 20,000 allied troops would come to defend the city. Reassured, Amycles and his men fortified the walls, gathered provisions, burned the pontoon bridge, and sealed the port.

From his ship, Lysias observed smoke rising from the Trionto River, realizing Castellon's resolve and Dionysia's influence, which strengthened his support for Crotone's plan.

His ship sailed south past Crimisa. The Crotone fleet, already informed, hoisted its sails and headed toward the Dionysian Alliance.

Meanwhile, at Cunogorata's urging, Davos dispatched Plessinus to Tarantum to request forty triremes to prevent Crotone from blockading Thurii. However, after heated debate, the Tarantum Senate, under Diomirus's objections, informed Plessinus that the request had come too late. After the New Year, the Messapiens had invaded Tarantum again, and Diomirus repelled them. Tarantum's warships were already in the Adriatic, leaving only affordable food aid in Heraclea available for Dionysia.