Volume 3: The First Croton War Chapter 7: The Proposal

Davos ignored him and continued, “To the new citizens who defeated the Lucanian tribal alliance, captured Amendolara, and joined it today—the lands they now hold are tax-exempt! At the same time, a batch of ‘Amendolara Newcomer’s Silver Buttons’ will be minted, one for each new citizen, to be kept permanently. They may also be worn on the chiton on grand public occasions, so that future generations may know of their achievements!”

“That’s more like it!” Matonis sat down, satisfied.

Now the new citizens straightened their backs as well.

Davos had granted honor to both sides, and both accepted it willingly, restoring calm to the assembly. Cornelius watched and had to acknowledge Davos’s political skill.

“If no one pays taxes, what’s the point of this law?!” Mesis complained.

“Don’t you understand yet, Treasurer?” Cornelius smiled. “All current citizens won’t pay land tax, but anyone who becomes a citizen of Amendolara from now on and owns land will have to pay it.”

“Note that it’s your existing lands that are tax-exempt. Any lands you acquire later will still be taxed!” Davos reminded them.

“If that’s the case, I can accept it.” Antonios stood up and said, “Amendolara was founded by Cornelius and their ancestors, and they have suffered much for it; we should respect that. As for us, we have shed blood and sweat for Amendolara, so we should gain something as well. Future citizens will enjoy everything we have done for this city—they ought to contribute something in return. Taxation—I think it’s a good method!”

“Antonios is right! We agree with this approach!” The new citizens voiced their approval one after another.

“Yes, we are the founders of this new Amendolara! Let future generations know what we have done today! These tax-exempt lands and the silver buttons are the best proof and honor!” Protesilaus shouted excitedly, and the old citizens did not object either.

…

After the assembly, the new citizens headed toward the square, while the old citizens walked along the winding mountain path.

“Cornelius, you were far too lenient with that young man tonight! You didn’t refute a single one of his proposals, letting him easily persuade those inexperienced mercenaries!” Strombopoli complained loudly.

“Hey, Strombopoli, don’t keep shouting ‘young man’—Davos is our magistrate, and we should respect him!” Raphias glanced back and, seeing they were not far from the new citizens, reminded him.

“Magistrate? I’d say he’s a king. Has he ever asked our consent before proposing anything? Has he consulted with the senators of the Senate on any proposal beforehand? And letting all those mindless mercenaries who just obey him attend this meeting—he clearly intends to have his own way! What use are we then? Puppets?!” Strombopoli ranted angrily.

Scombrus could not help interrupting him: “Since you have objections to the magistrate, why didn’t you speak up in the assembly?”

Strombopoli was momentarily at a loss. He rolled his eyes and said, “None of you opposed him, so why should I be the only one? I’m not stupid! Oh… I see now. Cornelius has become Chief Magistrate, Raphias is now Registrar—both big shots already! That’s the favor of our esteemed magistrate, so you’re too embarrassed to oppose him, right?”

Scombrus strode up to him and glared: “Shut up, Strombopoli! Cornelius did his utmost to protect this hill town—you can’t speak of him like that! And… though those soldiers were crude and even hit me, to tell the truth, this young magistrate’s proposals are quite interesting. Especially that tax law—I was indeed surprised, but Amendolara hasn’t changed in over a hundred years…”

“Uncle Scombrus is right! After the suffering we’ve endured, Amendolara can’t go on living as before! Whether it’s appointing Davos as lifelong magistrate or his proposals, if they can make Amendolara strong and free from further humiliation, even if our traditions change, I accept it!” Tritodemos said solemnly, and a few of them nodded silently.

“Not just free from humiliation—we should attack the Lucanians, defeat them, and avenge ourselves!” Protesilaus, the youngest of the six, said excitedly.

“The Lucanians are numerous, their territory vast and mostly mountainous. Attacking them won’t be easy. That young magistrate is just boasting,” Strombopoli said doubtfully.

“Davos led a smaller mercenary force to annihilate the larger Lucanian coalition army—that’s a fact! He recaptured Amendolara in a single night—also a fact! How many generals and citizens in Magna Graecia can claim to have done both? Tell me!” Protesilaus retorted.

Strombopoli snorted but did not reply.

“Did you notice the look in the new citizens’ eyes when they gazed at Davos? It was as if they were staring at a god!” Protesilaus said dramatically.

“I’ve heard they call Davos the God-Touched One. Maybe he really can work miracles.” Tritodemos said hopefully. “I’ve long heard that northwest of Amendolara, up the Sinni River, there’s a beautiful large lake the Lucanians call Dokara (today’s Lake Sennise). I think I’ll not only get to see it but might even own a plot of land there.”

Strombopoli snorted again, but some of the anger had left his expression.

“War inevitably brings death. If it can be avoided, better not fight,” Cornelius sighed.

“Anyway, we won’t be on the front lines. Those mercenaries seem quite keen,” Raphias said nonchalantly.

“They’re still citizens of Amendolara,” Cornelius reminded him. He paused, then mused, “But we’ve all underestimated Davos. Young as he is, he’s remarkably familiar with city-state politics. Could he really be what the new citizens say—‘gifted wisdom by Hades’?”

His remark met no rebuttal from the other five; clearly, they were all surprised.

“But we need to observe Davos’s actual governing ability further. We have no idea how much impact and change his proposals will bring to Amendolara. All we can do is try our best to ensure stability and, if we find problems, remind Davos in time. At least for now, Davos is not like Dionysius of Syracuse,” Cornelius warned them solemnly.

The other four nodded, while Strombopoli asked in a low voice, “What if Davos turns Amendolara into a mess, refuses to listen, and acts recklessly?!”

“If it really comes to that…” Cornelius was momentarily unsure how to answer.

“Then we drive them out!” Scombrus said decisively. “For the sake of Amendolara, even if we have to cooperate with Thurii again!”

The others exchanged glances and finally nodded silently.

Davos returned to the square very late.

He went back to his tent, where the candles were still burning brightly. Cheiristoya, who had been waiting for him, was already asleep on the bedroll laid out on the floor.

Davos walked softly to the bedroll and crouched beside Cheiristoya. The flickering candlelight shone on her beautiful, alluring face. Her breathing was light and long, with a slight smile on her lips…

She must be having sweet dreams! Davos gazed at her, momentarily lost. He had come alone to this strange world, struggling to survive. Though he had comrades who shared life and death, it was her presence that gave his lonely, drifting heart a harbor to anchor.

He reached out involuntarily and gently stroked Cheiristoya’s soft hair. She woke immediately, rubbed her drowsy eyes, and said lazily, “You’re back.”

Davos took both her hands and said tenderly, “Cheiristoya of Miletus, will you be my wife?”

Cheiristoya’s eyes suddenly brightened, her beautiful face glowing in the candlelight. The thing she had feared most while following Davos from place to place was now gone. She held him tightly and softly spoke her vow: “I will!”

After their passionate embrace, Cheiristoya lay on Davos’s chest, listening to him recount the evening’s assembly as drowsiness crept over her…

Then Davos said, “Cheiristoya, I’m hesitating whether to ask you to do something.”

“What is it?” she asked curiously.

“Have you heard of a bank?”

“Yes, isn’t it just lending money? My father also ran that business in Miletus. He once told me he admired the Athenian banker Pasion most, because through moneylending, Pasion became the richest man in Athens and earned the respect of Athenian citizens…” Memories arose, and she felt a touch of sadness.

“That’s great! I want you to open a bank in Amendolara, specifically to lend money to its citizens,” Davos said immediately.

“Open a bank?! Me?!” Cheiristoya was stunned.

“Yes, you!” Davos looked up at her, his eyes full of trust. “You managed the medical camp so well—I believe you can run this bank successfully too!”

Cheiristoya steadied herself, thought for a moment, and reminded him, “That would require a lot of silver coins.”