Volume 4: The League of Dionia, Chapter 13: Beer Was Originally Invented by the Egyptians

As he spoke, Soricus raised his voice: "Just like now, with Magister Davos as the leader and the other senators assisting, the Alliance's efficiency is much higher. Moreover, every citizen has land and doesn't have to worry about making a living, nor fear enemy invasion. They can freely take public office and receive a salary. Isn't that better than before! So even if the Thua Alliance really changes to a monarchical system, it wouldn't be bad. As long as future kings are all like Lord Davos, I think the people of the Alliance would support them!"

After hearing his words, Theos fell into deep thought: Greeks are naturally passionate about politics. From the Archaic period to the present, citizens of every city-state have sought a perfect system to make their city prosperous and its citizens free. Decades ago, Athens became a model for other city-states to emulate, but the defeat in the Peloponnesian War made many insightful people see the drawbacks of Athenian democracy. Some aristocrats, including philosophers, began to admire Sparta's semi-monarchical, semi-democratic system, which still followed ancient Greek traditions. However, Sparta's overbearing behavior, especially towards its neighbors in the Peloponnese, was detestable. The system of the Thua Alliance also seemed somewhat interesting... Theos thought to himself.

The carriage continued to gallop. When they crossed a wooden bridge, he looked back to observe it for a while.

There were many pedestrians and vehicles on the main road, but they were all orderly and did not interfere with each other.

As Theos watched, he noticed something: "On this road, it seems you all keep to the right?!" he said loudly, not sure of himself.

"That's right, you observed very carefully!" Soricus shouted happily. "That was after the main road was built. Lord Davos erected a milestone at the ferry crossings of Amendolara, Thurii, and Heraclea, advising pedestrians to keep to the right. For the first few days, many people didn't listen and often crossed over. Because this road is good, carriages and carts moved quite fast, so there were several accidents where people got hurt, causing traffic jams. That's when everyone realized Lord Davos's advice was right! You see, our Magister is like that. Even though he has great power, he doesn't often use force to make people obey. Instead, he tries to persuade them. That's one reason why we aren't worried about him being the sole lifelong magistrate!"

"Thua Alliance truly has a good magistrate!" Theos sighed. "And I noticed that every certain distance, there is a stone tablet on the roadside, engraved with the distance to Amendolara and Heraclea. To manage a road with such care, I imagine he considers the people's feelings even more in governing the city-state."

"Yes, yes!" Soricus straightened his chest proudly while cracking his whip.

"How much do you earn per day driving this carriage?" Theos asked.

The cheerful Soricus said frankly: "At first, I only earned ten obols a day, with more than half coming from Thua Alliance citizens who were just curious. Now, I work from morning till night with hardly a break. At most, I can earn forty-six obols. At this rate, deducting the cost of hay for the horse and its care, I can earn about six hundred obols per month, nearly a hundred drachmas. In another three or four months, I'll be able to pay off the loan and interest!"

The two chatted happily. Since there weren't many carts on the main road, the traffic was smooth. In less than two hours, they reached the warehouse and inn area outside the city of Amendolara. In fact, it wasn't as quiet as the market manager had said; there were also people coming and going, just not as noisy.

Soricus waited for Theos to get off and said to him: "I suggest you go to Christhoya's restaurant for dinner. Her lamb tripe soup and beef tripe are delicious and not expensive. I go there every few days. I never thought that the entrails people usually discard could be made so tasty. I spend almost half my earnings on it."

"Is it really that good?" Theos asked with some doubt.

"Try it and you'll know." Soricus said as another customer got on. He waved goodbye.

"May Hermes bless you to realize your wish soon!" Theos also gave his blessing.

Watching Soricus drive away, and prompted by what he just said, Theos's already hungry stomach began to growl. He decided to go to the restaurant Soricus recommended first.

...

Compared to Amendolara, Thurii far surpassed it in land, population, affairs, and many other aspects. Therefore, the Senate's office was to be moved to Thurii, although the Council Hall had not yet been repaired. Since most senators' homes were in Amendolara, for the convenience and speed of future deliberations, the Thurii Reconstruction Committee allocated residences for the senators in Thurii. Because Davos was busy with affairs and often discussed state matters at home with visiting senators and officials, he was allocated a newly built residence twice the size of his home in Amendolara. Davos originally wanted to refuse, but Christhoya liked it very much, so he had to accept.

The residence was located on a hillside by the river in Thurii, at a relatively high elevation. Standing at the gate, one could take in the beautiful views of the Crati River and the Coseni River. On another hill not far to the north were the original Temple of Apollo (now the Temple of Hades was being built on the site) and the acropolis. The location was very advantageous.

It was already the end of September, early autumn weather, but the climate in the southern Apennine Peninsula was still hot. Fortunately, the occasional river breeze brought some coolness to Christhoya, who was at home caring for her pregnancy.

The new residence had a large, rectangular courtyard. A while ago, Christhoya had a mason build a wall in the middle, leaving a door, thus dividing the atrium into a front yard and a back yard. The front yard had side rooms for slaves and a reception hall, while the back yard had the bedrooms of Davos and his wife, rooms for their adopted daughters and sons, and the quarters of their personal attendants.

Christhoya had been staying in the back yard all this time; the environment was quiet and private. At that moment, she was wearing a light linen garment, and along with her female slave Asuna, she was planting her favorite flowers and herbs in the back yard's courtyard. As she moved and stood still, her clothes fluttered, revealing glimpses of her white chest, which was quite alluring.

Andria, having received permission from the female slave at the gate, entered the back yard and saw Christhoya put down a pickaxe and take the cloth handed by Asuna to wipe her sweat.

Andria quickly walked over and reminded her: "Lady, didn't the doctor say that in the early stages of pregnancy you should rest quietly to ensure the healthy growth of the fetus? You shouldn't be doing strenuous exercise!"

"I don't vomit much anymore. Davos says, 'Moderate exercise is good for the health of me and the child.'" Christhoya said as she gently stroked her barely showing belly, a tender smile on her lovely face.

"Lord Davos is so busy, yet he still cares so much about you and the child! Lady, Hera has granted you a good husband!" Andria timely offered a compliment, making Christhoya's face beam with happiness: "Andria, don't just envy me. In a year, you can be with Bacule! Didn't expect it to be so soon, did you?"

"This is all thanks to Lord Magister's full help. Bacule and his people are very grateful to him!" Andria said sincerely.

"After Bacule and the others finish their labor service, are they willing to stay and become citizens of the Thua Alliance?" Christhoya handed the cloth to Asuna and asked seemingly casually.

"Bacule told me that most of his young people are willing to stay, because although they work hard here, they are happy and safe. They don't want to go back to the mountains and live in fear. Only a few old men are hesitant, including his father..." Andria looked a bit worried. Of course, she wanted the Lucanians to all stay, so that her marriage would go smoothly.

"Don't worry, Davos will find a way to make them all stay!" Christhoya comforted her. She casually picked up a pottery jug from the nearby table, poured a cup of water, and handed it to Andria: "You came from the market, you must be thirsty. Have some of this."

Andria took the cup and glanced at it quickly. The cup contained a golden liquid with some floating matter, and when slightly shaken, it produced white foam. She didn't dare to ask immediately, but took a small sip. It was bitter yet had a touch of sweetness and was somewhat cool.

She couldn't help but take another big gulp. The abundant foam mixed with the liquid slid smoothly down her throat, forcing her to burp a few times. Immediately, she felt her hot body cool down significantly.

"What kind of drink is this?" she asked in surprise.

"It's not bad, is it? I soaked it in well water for a long time." Christhoya said with a smug smile. "As for what it is, let Asuna tell you."

The slightly dark-skinned, pretty-faced Asuna quickly said: "It's called beer. It's a drink that we Egyptians love."

"A few months ago, when Lord Davos was chatting with Lady, he said, 'I'm considering making the rugby ball game a formal competitive sport for the people to watch. It will definitely be very popular. But we're still missing a tasty drink for people to enjoy while watching matches under the hot sun in the stands—something to quench thirst and add to the excitement...' I happened to be nearby and couldn't help but say, 'The beer we Egyptians drink might be worth a try.'"

Hearing this, Christhoya giggled and took over: "You should have seen Davos's expression at that time. He looked at Asuna very surprised and kept asking her several times, 'What did you call that drink?' Then he asked about its color, taste, and making process. Later he even swore something like 'Damn it... I was fooled by the Germans. So beer was invented by the Egyptians.' Then he urged me to find people to make beer. I had to send someone to the slave market in Tarentum and bought an Egyptian slave who knew how to make beer at a high price, and tried to brew it."

Note: Every civilization has left its unique mark on the world. Egyptian civilization also has many interesting inventions. Here I will only mention those that ladies might find interesting: eye shadow, wigs, nail coloring, various accessories, rose baths, milk baths, hair care, essential oils... Also, perfume was not invented by the French. Three thousand years before the Common Era, there was a rule in Egypt: not wearing perfume in public was illegal. The interesting life of the Egyptians will be described in detail in the latter part of this novel. Here is just a small teaser!