Volume 3: The First Crotone War, Chapter 5: The First Senate Meeting (5)

Upon hearing these words, the new citizens stopped complaining. Eyes blazing, they declared one after another that they would definitely be the first to obey the new military law!

Sestas and Adrianx had previously heard that Davos's mercenary army had a military law with numerous articles, and that the soldiers' strong execution ability was closely tied to the strict requirements of this law. At that time, they had been curious: a small mercenary force had actually set its own distinctive military law. Now they finally had the chance to experience it firsthand!

As for the old citizens like Cornelius, they had only witnessed the ferocity of the mercenaries once, in front of the temple. The annihilation of the Lucanian tribal coalition and the capture of Amendolara were things they had only heard about. In the past, Amendolara had often gone to war alongside Thurii, and the city-state naturally had some customary military rules to ensure smooth military operations. But to set a comprehensive military law specifically—this was the first time they had heard of it.

Thus, Cornelius reminded, "I hope military training does not affect the citizens' daily work."

"I believe Philistos can balance the relationship between the two," Davos said, full of trust in Philistos. Then, smiling at the platoon leaders, he added, "Philistos, as the military officer, definitely needs some subordinates like training instructors. You can discuss it with him."

No sooner had he spoken than dozens of men swarmed over, each competing to recommend themselves, leaving Philistos overwhelmed.

Though these officers were not skilled in literacy or arithmetic, marching and fighting were their specialty. As newly minted citizens of Amendolara, they had a strong desire to display their abilities to the people.

"It seems they are also eager to contribute to the city-state!" Davos remarked with emotion.

Cornelius nodded on the surface, but inside he thought: These new citizens, accustomed to the battlefield, truly cannot stay idle. Let's hope they can abide by the city-state's laws!

"For now, these are the main public offices of the city-state." Davos's words made Cornelius breathe a sigh of relief. Each new position this new magistrate proposed was a shock to Amendolara's traditions, stirring up inner conflict for Cornelius each time.

"Now there is a very important matter that requires the full effort of all senators in our Senate and the officers," Davos said with a serious expression, making Cornelius tense again.

"That is the issue of resettling us new citizens and distributing land." At these words, the officers immediately stopped pestering Philistos. Everyone stared wide-eyed at Davos ahead.

"To maintain harmony and stability in the city-state, and to avoid disturbing the people who have just been freed from Lucanian captivity, tonight and even tomorrow night we respectable new citizens will still willingly pitch tents and live in the square (actually it was Davos's strict demand). But this cannot be permanent, nor is it reasonable! After all, the new citizens fought bloody battles to protect this land, and many of their comrades fell on the battlefield to bring tranquility to today's Amendolara!" Here, Davos grew emotional. "We must settle them as soon as possible and distribute the land they deserve, to repay their contributions and the rights they should enjoy as citizens! Otherwise, if we delay, it's hard to guarantee that problems won't arise!"

Davos's words excited the new citizens present, while the old citizens wore solemn expressions.

"Now, how many widows are there among the people of Amendolara who have lost their husbands?" Davos asked Cornelius.

"I'm afraid there are over a thousand. The exact number will have to be known after a census," Cornelius said, glancing at Raphias.

The newly appointed Registrar, Raphias, immediately stated, "When the meeting ends, I'll go conduct the census at once."

"Then tomorrow morning, gather them all in the square. Officers, you also gather the unmarried soldiers in the square. Let both sides meet each other—no arrangements by elders, no coercion by force. Let men and women voluntarily unite based on their own abilities and charms. Additionally, I suggest that unmarried maidens in Amendolara also come to the square for this meeting." After Davos spoke, the old citizens like Cornelius were fine—Davos had revealed this idea to them on the way and ultimately convinced them.

But the new citizens exploded into discussion. Among the mercenaries, aside from a very few who were already married and a handful who had forcibly taken local women as wives in Persia, over two thousand were still single. Under Davos's leadership, not only had these mercenaries become city-state citizens, but now their singlehood was being addressed—this was a tremendous boon! Because these women with city-state status were not freedwomen or purchased concubines. Marrying them also meant acquiring the land and wealth left by their late husbands.

"Great! Now my men have hope!"

"Matonis, don't get too excited. If your subordinates are like you, they'll still have a hard time finding a wife! To catch a woman's eye, being strong isn't enough!"

"Isn't being strong good? At least it gives them stronger protection and lets them do more farm work. I think that's exactly what they need most right now! And Olivus, if you dare go to the square tomorrow, aren't you afraid that Persian girl will ignore you?"

"Hieronymus, you blockhead, this time you need to talk more to the women. It's not just about your own happiness, but also setting a good example for your men!"

"Georgios, why aren't you saying anything? Don't be nervous. Tomorrow at the square, just do as you wish. Aphrodite will surely arrange a woman for you!"

"Officer Heilos, stop worrying about me. Take care of your own marriage first!"

...

Davos grinned, watching his subordinates excitedly talking to each other.

The old citizens like Cornelius felt somewhat helpless. Originally, women born into Greek city-state citizen families were very traditional. They rarely appeared in public, were not allowed to meet strange men alone, and their marriages were arranged by their parents. Their husbands were either citizens of the same city-state or neighboring ones. After marriage, they were under their husband's control; their duty was to bear children and manage the household. If a husband died early, having children was fine—property went to the children's name, and she could manage it temporarily, raising the children until they grew up, after which she would be under her children's control. If there were no children, the husband's family had grounds to throw her out and make her remarry...

Amendolara originally had about four thousand citizens, now fewer than five hundred. They lacked enough strength to defend the city-state and lacked enough labor to support so many women, children, and old people. The reason Cornelius and the others had voluntarily agreed to accept the mercenaries as city-state citizens was mainly due to this, though also partly out of gratitude. Similarly, having the women break Greek city-state tradition and openly appear in public for such a large-scale male-female meeting was also out of necessity. After all, letting these fierce soldiers settle down quickly and integrate into Amendolara to become true citizens was the best method.

"At the same time, I want to remind you all. When you marry the woman you choose, you must treat her previous children as your own and raise them well; treat the elderly in her home as your own and care for them properly; and... um... the humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Lucanians—I hope you won't blame her for it, because it was not their fault! It was because the men of Amendolara failed to protect them! We are true Greek warriors—our duty is to cherish them and never let them suffer such humiliation again! Then prepare carefully, until one day we march into Lucania and make those natives taste the might of Amendolara's men!" Davos said solemnly.

"Well said, Chief!"

"Kill the Lucanians!"

"Rest assured, we'll take care of the women, old folks, and children!"

The new citizens clamored, making promises one after another.

The old citizens, however, felt that every word Davos spoke was like a whip, stinging their faces with shame.

"After tomorrow's meeting, once every couple is confirmed, I suggest we pick an auspicious day and hold a grand collective wedding. All confirmed couples, including those from the Persian plunder—and of course, including my own wedding—will be held together!"

The venue immediately turned lively again.

"Chief Davos, you've finally decided to marry Cheiristoya!"

"How enviable! Cheiristoya is such a wonderful woman!"

Davos paid no heed to the teasing and asked Cornelius, "Do we have a priestess of Hera?"

"No, Amendolara worships Zeus. The nearest famous Temple of Hera is in Metapontum."

"Send someone to Metapontum to invite a priestess of Hera to preside over this grand wedding and bestow blessings upon the couples!"

Although Hera was the protector goddess of marriage, the traditional Greek wedding ceremony did not require a priestess of Hera to be present, so Cornelius looked perplexed.

Davos looked at him and said, "Because this wedding signifies the rebirth of Amendolara. I hope the great goddess Hera will grant blessings to these couples who represent the future of Amendolara! And I remember that the Magistrate has the right to supervise rituals and establish festivals."

Cornelius wanted to say: That was the power the Magistrates had at the end of the monarchical era. In the current democratic era, the rights to supervise rituals and establish festivals had long belonged to the Senate.

But Davos had already obtained many powers beyond those originally prescribed for the Amendolara Magistrate, and Cornelius had grown numb to it. Under Davos's sharp gaze, he nodded helplessly and said, "Yes." That nod meant that Davos, as lifelong magistrate, had taken the most sacred religious supervisory power of Amendolara from the Senate as well.