Volume 3: First War of Croton, Chapter 14: Invitation from Syracuse

After the group wedding ceremony ended, Davos didn't go straight home. He met with the envoys from Metapontum and Heraclea in the Senate, alongside the senators.

One was an ally of Tarentum, the other a subject city of Tarentum, and since Amendolara had also become a Tarentine ally, the meeting was friendly and smooth. Davos proposed that Amendolara should maintain good relations and mutual assistance with the two cities—Metapontum and Heraclea—and both envoys readily agreed. They also discussed increasing exchanges and boosting trade...

It wasn't until late afternoon that Davos finally returned home, only to find a guest already waiting.

This sharp-eyed middle-aged envoy presented lavish gifts, then introduced himself politely: "Greetings, esteemed Magistrate Davos! I come from Syracuse, and I am Herollis, envoy of the all-powerful General Dionysius."

At the words "Syracuse" and "Dionysius," Davos's heart jolted.

In his previous life, when it came to the historical tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse, all he could recall was the story of the Sword of Damocles—a tale that taught him how dangerous it was to become a tyrant in a Greek city-state. Beyond that, he had no deep impression of Dionysius or even Syracuse, just like any ordinary person. Everyone's attention was fixed on Athens, Sparta, and Rome. What little he knew was that the Athenians' great expeditionary force was annihilated at Syracuse during the Peloponnesian War, that the philosopher Plato had once stayed there, and that the great mathematician Archimedes died there... That was about it.

But after coming to this era, especially after arriving in Magna Graecia, Davos often found time—after work—to chat with Bourkos, Cornelius, and others about the local customs and conditions. Thus, he learned that Syracuse was no ordinary power. If the city-states of mainland Greece, led by Athens and Sparta, had successfully repelled the Persian invasion, then the city-states of Magna Graecia and Sicily—under Syracuse's leadership—had defeated the Carthaginian army in the south (coincidentally, on a day close to the naval Battle of Salamis in the east) and had also helped the Greek city-states on the Apennine Peninsula drive back native attacks in the north. So decades ago, Syracuse had been the hegemon of the Greek city-states in the western Mediterranean, and its government at that time had been a tyranny. Now, Syracuse had once again adopted a tyrannical system, with the so-called all-powerful General Dionysius in power.

From what others had told him about Dionysius's usurpation, Davos could see that the man was not only cunning and ruthless, but also formidable in both military and political affairs, and lucky to boot (the Carthaginians had attacked Syracuse and its allies during a period of internal strife, even beginning to besiege the city itself, when a plague broke out, allowing Dionysius to drive them back). Davos also knew that Dionysius understood the principle that "power grows out of the barrel of a gun," and had aggressively cultivated and hired private armies to consolidate his authority... Davos had already mentally labeled the Syracusan tyrant as "dangerous." Although he didn't know how this historical figure would develop later in his previous life, he had once read a book in which a line stuck with him: "A revived nation, from its very birth, consciously or unconsciously tries to hold tightly to the power and territory that the previous nation once possessed in its heyday." Former Syracuse had been the hegemon of Sicily and the Greek city-states of Magna Graecia! And now? After all, a man with small ambitions wouldn't dare to become a tyrant...

Thoughts raced through Davos's mind, but he wore a broad smile. "Oh, I never expected such a distinguished guest from Syracuse to visit our little mountain town! Please, have a seat!"

Once Herollis was seated, Davos asked, "May I inquire, Lord Herollis, what business has Syracuse sent you here for?"

"By the time I received my orders and set out for Thurii, I had no idea you had already become the magistrate of Amendolara. The original orders no longer apply, but I think I should still lay them out first." Herollis cleared his throat and said, "When the news reached Sicily that you and your army, Lord Davos, had defeated the Lucanian联军 at Thurii against overwhelming odds and annihilated them, the Greek populace of Sicily was overjoyed. They all said it was the most brilliant victory against the natives in Magna Graecia in years! Upon learning of it, Lord Dionysius immediately decided to hire you and your troops for service in Sicily, with generous pay, to join the fight against the great enemy of the Greek city-states, the lackeys of the Persians—the Carthaginians."

Davos relaxed slightly inwardly, and asked with feigned curiosity, "Generous pay?! How generous?"

"Four darics per soldier per month, and for you, twenty darics per month." Herollis finished speaking and watched Davos.

Davos showed a look of surprise. "Four darics—more than double what Thurii paid us! Is Syracuse so wealthy?!"

"To invite the hero who marched with Cyrus against Persia and the renowned general who crushed the Lucanian联军, that is Syracuse's honor. No amount of money is too much!" Herollis said with utmost seriousness.

So now I'm already a famous general! Davos stroked his chin, which had just a hint of stubble, feeling rather pleased, and his liking for the envoy opposite him grew. But he said with a tone of regret, "Unfortunately, we are no longer mercenaries now. We are citizens of Amendolara."

"Yes, I didn't expect that after annihilating the Lucanian联军, you and your army immediately recaptured Amendolara without even stopping to rest. That was another brilliant victory!" Herollis praised sincerely. After all, taking a city by siege is harder than a field battle in anyone's book—though he naturally wouldn't know that Davos and his mercenaries had launched a night attack, catching the Lucanians off guard. So he said earnestly, "It was fortunate for Amendolara that they invited you all to become its citizens! But that leaves my original orders moot. Now, I would like to propose a new request on behalf of the all-powerful General Dionysius of Syracuse."

Davos made a gesture for him to continue.

"I would like to invite you to lead the army of Amendolara and join Syracuse in driving back the Carthaginian invasion, to restore peace to the Greek city-states of Sicily! Of course, Syracuse will pay you and your troops equally generous compensation. Moreover, knowing that Amendolara has just gone through war, Syracuse is willing to provide the supplies you urgently need free of charge, to help Amendolara recover as soon as possible!" Herollis said earnestly.

Davos did not commit either way, but asked instead, "I heard that Syracuse and Carthage signed a truce two years ago. Has Carthage broken the agreement and started a new war?"

Herollis looked a little embarrassed, but quickly composed himself and spoke with impassioned gravity: "The reason Carthage chose to cease hostilities was because their army was ravaged by plague at the time—a punishment sent by Apollo! But Carthage still occupies many Greek city-states in Sicily, from Selinus in the far west to the great inland city of Acragas on the south coast, and further to Gela and Camarina near Syracuse. Tens of thousands of Greek people live under Carthaginian oppression, in a life worse than death. Moreover, a huge Carthaginian army is stationed at Camarina, constantly threatening Syracuse. Whether for Syracuse's own safety or to rescue the people of Gela, Acragas, and other Greek cities, Syracuse must strike a heavy blow against Carthage, to dispel the covetous designs that this Phoenician-founded city has on the Greek city-states of Sicily, and to restore the old sphere of influence in Sicily!"

Davos pondered for a long time (though he had already made up his mind). Then he shook his head and said, "I would very much like to help the Sicilian people, but I am now the magistrate of Amendolara, and I must take responsibility for its citizens. Look at me—I'm busy from morning till night without a moment's rest, and I certainly can't go on a long journey. Besides, the citizens of Amendolara are occupied with rebuilding their families, restoring the city's agriculture, order, and security. It's impossible for them to follow me to Sicily. So I thank you and the all-powerful General Dionysius for the invitation, but I must regretfully decline!"

Herollis had only been hoping for a slim chance, so he wasn't overly disappointed. He simply sighed and said, "That is most regrettable! I hope there will still be an opportunity to cooperate with you in the future, Magistrate."

Davos replied politely, "Please convey my apologies and gratitude to the all-powerful General Dionysius."

Then Davos saw Herollis out.

As they neared the gate, Herollis stopped and turned back. "Lord Davos, if I may ask a personal question?"

"Go ahead."

"As I understand it, when you recaptured Amendolara, almost all of the original citizens had been killed. You could have naturally let your men take over Amendolara... What made you choose to let the citizens of Amendolara hold an Assembly and vote to decide whether you should stay or go?" Herollis asked seriously.

Davos met Herollis's probing gaze and inwardly pondered: Could this envoy be someone dissatisfied with how Dionysius used mercenaries to seize power in Syracuse and impose a harsh rule?

They looked at each other for a moment, then Davos said, "We mercenaries are tired of war and death. All we want is a peaceful, stable life—not to plunder wealth or seize power. If we want to avoid dragging Amendolara into repeated upheavals, every soldier who wishes to become a citizen of the city must abide by its laws and follow the legal process to become a citizen. That way, the former citizens won't hold grudges against us, and we ourselves will be at peace. Only then can the entire city-state remain stable..."

Herollis fell silent for a while, and when he looked at Davos again, there was a new respect in his eyes. "It has been an honor to know you."