Volume 3: The First Croton War, Chapter 1: The First Senate Meeting (1)

That evening, the Senate of Amendolara was brightly lit with candles.

Davos, Cornelius, the five prominent citizens who had stood on the platform with Cornelius earlier, Sestas, Adrianx, the company commanders led by Capus and Antonios, and even Helpos, Mesis, Laedes, Asiastes, and the various platoon leaders that Davos had insisted on summoning — dozens of people gathered together to discuss the reconstruction of Amendolara.

As the sole lifelong magistrate, Davos naturally became the chief senator and sat at the center of the circular assembly hall. "Fellow citizens, the reconstruction of Amendolara involves many tasks, and time is pressing. First, we must complete the selection and filling of senators for the Senate."

With a solemn expression, Davos continued, "The Senate, as the important political body of the city-state of Amendolara, is composed of the most experienced and wisest elites among the citizens. Upward, it offers advice and counsel to the magistrate, nominates candidates for various high offices for the magistrate's approval. Downward, it oversees the city-state's operation — from auditing finances to citizens' morals and customs — and has the power to propose laws. High officials of the city-state are also elected from among the senators. Therefore, senators must possess a certain degree of administrative ability, which you, having been mercenaries, lack. Fortunately, Amendolara's population is not large. You must earnestly learn through practice and humbly seek advice from respected old citizens like Cornelius..."

A twenty-year-old young man lecturing in a precociously mature manner, while a group of men in their thirties and forties nodded earnestly behind him. This scene did not amuse Cornelius; what surprised him was that this young man, reportedly from a remote village in Thessaly and having never lived in a city, was so familiar with the political structure of Amendolara. Could it truly be the so-called revelation of Hades?!

In a daze, he intentionally or unintentionally overlooked the fact that Davos had partially altered the functions of the Senate.

"Now I propose the following six as senators: Cornelius, Tritodemos, Stromboli, Scombrus, and Raphias." Except for Cornelius, who had already been a senator, the other five had not. Davos was rewarding them for their efforts in supporting the mercenaries and himself earlier, while also fulfilling his promises. Besides Cornelius, the other five could not help showing joy.

"Agreed!" All the officers in the hall raised their hands. They were not entirely blindly following Davos, but also acting out of a sense of guilt: they had taken their land and seized their power, so they had to offer some compensation.

"Sestas, Adrianx, and Drakos, as leaders of the mercenary forces, should enter the Senate," Davos continued.

"Agreed!" Not only the officers raised their hands in agreement, but the newly appointed senators also began to exercise their duties.

At this point, Sestas whispered a few words to Adrianx, stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and said loudly, "Adrianx, Drakos, and I thank everyone present, especially the Magistrate, for this honor! We came to Magna Graecia only wanting to earn some money to make a living, never expecting to become citizens of Amendolara, let alone enter the Senate! This is a kindness from the Magistrate and all of you. We have no way to repay it but to dedicate all our strength to Amendolara!"

Applause rang out. The former mercenary officers clapped vigorously. Davos watched Sestas return to his seat and gained a new impression of this mercenary leader he had only met a few times.

"Philistos, Antonios, Capus, Amyntas, Alexis, Heilos, Hieronymus, Agasia, Epithenis, Tsipet, Alpuens, and Ledas — these twelve senior mercenary officers, along with Mesis and Hepos, the heads of their respective departments — I recommend them as senators," Davos continued.

"Agreed!!" This time, the voice of approval was even louder.

Davos's gaze swept over familiar faces sitting in the back row — Matonis, Olivus, Asiastes, Georgios, Martius, and others — and he said calmly, "As for the platoon leaders and other personnel, I do not plan to recommend you to the Senate for now."

As soon as the words fell, someone in the back row sighed, but no one dared to question Davos.

Davos's expression remained unchanged as he continued explaining, "Because most of you are still young — when he said this, Davos obviously did not count himself, and the others took it for granted — just a few months ago, you were still soldiers, lacking experience in managing a city-state and handling political affairs. But do not be discouraged. As long as you actively participate in city-state affairs and strive to improve yourselves, the Senate doors are always open to outstanding citizens of the city-state!"

Davos's encouraging words reinvigorated the platoon leaders.

Davos then addressed the newly appointed senators: "Although senators receive no salary, they hold a respected position in the city-state. I hope your actions will prove you worthy of this noble office. As Cornelius and I previously discussed, once you enter the Senate, you serve as a senator for life — this was the benefit Davos granted to Cornelius and the others, and also what Davos himself desired. But I do not want it to be entirely like that. I will discuss with you and formulate some rules regarding senators. Anyone who cannot fulfill this position or violates the city-state's laws should voluntarily leave the Senate or be removed by it."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill.

"Let us end the selection and filling of senators here. Cornelius, do you have anything to add?" Davos asked politely of his magistrate's adjutant.

As the only former senator in the hall, Cornelius had not had a chance to speak due to Davos's strong presence. Now he felt it necessary to educate these newcomers. "Gentlemen, first, let me make you understand that not only do senators receive no salary, but no other administrative position in Amendolara pays even a single obol. Serving the city-state is the honor of every citizen!..." Cornelius took the opportunity to lecture these new citizens of Amendolara first, then reminded Davos, "The Amendolara Senate has a quota of one hundred senators. We are still far from that number—"

"If it is not enough, leave it vacant for now. Fill it later when suitable candidates are found!" Davos interrupted him dismissively. He would not be constrained by Amendolara's traditional system, nor did he want to listen to Cornelius's patronizing lectures. At the same time, he believed that hastily filling the Senate quota would only lower the quality and ability of its members. Moreover, twenty or so senators were sufficient for a population of only about five thousand in Amendolara.

Cornelius opened his mouth but did not argue.

"What administrative positions does Amendolara currently have?" Davos continued questioning him.

"The city magistrate. He assists the magistrate in managing city-state affairs, maintains urban order, and oversees litigation. Under him are departments such as the patrols, the fire brigade, and the prison. This position changes annually. The Senate—" Cornelius glanced at Davos, who was staring at him intently. He hesitated, then changed his words, "Proposes candidates, and the magistrate makes the final... decision..."

Davos breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Cornelius was still sensible. Davos was not very familiar with the various public offices of Greek city-states; Athens and Sparta were just typical examples. There were hundreds of Greek city-states, and even if their political systems were generally similar, they differed greatly in detail. But he was very familiar with Rome's system—he had taken elective courses on it in his previous life. Amendolara's system was somewhat similar to Rome's, and the city magistrate position was akin to the Roman office of praetor. Therefore, he had an idea and said to Cornelius, "It seems the city magistrate's duties are not only the same as those of the magistrate's adjutant but also more comprehensive and more accepted by the citizens. I think you, Cornelius, should take that position. The role of magistrate's adjutant was an oversight on my part; it is clearly redundant and can be abolished."