Volume 4: The League of Dionia, Chapter 25: The Alliance of the City-States of Dionia

Sybaris! Although it had now become a laughingstock for Magna Graecia and a negative example for city-states to learn from, there was no denying that over a hundred years ago, it had been the greatest power in Magna Graecia—spanning the east and west coasts of the Apennine Peninsula, ruling over many cities, intimidating local tribes like the Bruttians and Lucanians, and possessing astonishing wealth. At that time, Syracuse was still a small city-state, and even Tarentum and Croton could only look up to it. The senators reminisced about Sybaris's past glory, intoxicated by their visions of the future, and once again burst into excited cheers. Some even shouted enthusiastically, "Cross the Sinni River, capture Grumentum, and take back our Poseidonia!"

When did Poseidonia ever become ours? Davos laughed to himself. He was very pleased to see this kind of mood emerging.

At this point, Vespa stood up and asked with concern, "Lord Davos, what is the situation with Grumentum and the other Lucanians?"

"Because our raid was so successful that no one escaped, I doubt the Lucanians to the north have received any news yet. Sestas is working hard to stabilize the situation in Nerulum. With Bacule's full assistance, a large number of Lucanians and slaves in Nerulum are willing to become citizens of the alliance. Sestas, Asiastes, and the others are busy registering these submitted Lucanians, distributing land and livestock, and also strengthening the city's defenses. In addition, Asiastes is building the Lao River Fortress and should return in two days. Even if the Lucanians to the north get word, they won't be able to attack Nerulum for now. According to the intelligence we've already received, we know that Pyxous just fought a battle with Grumentum. Because of the betrayal of some leaders on the battlefield, Lussau, the son of Acipirus who occupied Grumentum, was defeated and fled with his followers to Potentia, which took him in. Clearly, even if Sicinag of Pyxous has taken control of Grumentum, he still has to watch out for Potentia's interference. So for now, Nerulum is safe!"

Davos's words dispelled the worries of some senators, and the atmosphere grew even more enthusiastic.

Cornelius spoke loudly: "Gentlemen, there is an important issue that urgently needs to be discussed and resolved by the Senate!"

Most of the senators were taken aback: on this day of victory, what major problem could there be?

"Previously, we had two cities—Amendolara and Thurii—so we called ourselves the Thua Alliance. It was simple and clear; the people understood its meaning at once. But now that we also have Nerulum, it's no longer appropriate to keep the original name of the Thua Alliance!" Cornelius said earnestly.

Cornelius's meticulousness made the senators realize that it was indeed unsuitable: it would effectively exclude Nerulum. How would the people of Nerulum feel in the future? Moreover, judging by the trend, Nerulum would eventually have a Lucanian majority. They had expended so much effort and enacted many laws to incorporate the Lucanians into the alliance—this was a long-term plan that the senators had gradually come to agree on. A simple naming issue could lead to discord and division, nullifying all the alliance's hard work. This was indeed a critical problem that needed to be resolved immediately!

"Then let's call it the Thurii-Amendolara-Nerulum Alliance!" Amyntas's answer was blunt and straightforward, but it made some senators chuckle.

"Oh, that's convenient enough. But what if we later acquire Grumentum as well? Then we'll have to call it the Thurii-Amendolara-Nerulum-Grumentum Alliance?! And if it happens again... at this rate, every time we mention the official name of our alliance, it'll take quite a while!" Mesis teased with exaggeration.

Everyone burst out laughing.

Amyntas's face flushed with embarrassment. He said angrily, "Mesis, show me a better name, then!"

"That's not difficult. Since we want to restore Sybaris's glory and regain its astonishing wealth..." As he said this, Mesis practically drooled. "Let's just call it New Sybaris!"

As soon as he said it, Kynogoratas shook his head in opposition. "That name is no good! It will aggravate our relations with Croton and also make neighboring city-states uneasy!"

Antistanos agreed. "Exactly. When Sybaris prospered from trade, it had rivalries with many city-states in Magna Graecia, and the relationships were mostly poor. Even the Campanian League (that is, the Neapolitan League) to the north of Lucania was hostile to Sybaris. We can't afford to sour relations with our neighbors over a name!..."

As a historian, Antistanos's words naturally carried weight and won the senators' attention and approval. Quite a few senators swallowed the names they had already thought of but that might upset neighboring states—such as Antonios's suggestion, "Magna Graecia League." At this point, the senators realized that picking a name was no easy task. It had to carry some profound meaning, represent all the cities in the alliance, take future expansion into account, and consider relations with neighbors. Some senators pondered quietly, murmuring to themselves; others simply fixed their eyes on Davos.

"Picking a name is simple. I'll throw one out, and you'll all agree it's good!" someone said confidently.

Everyone turned to see Pleisinas.

"Speak up, then!" Under the senators' urging, Pleisinas spoke slowly, word by word: "Let it be called the Daonia City-State League!"

While senators like Amyntas, who weren't very educated, were still mulling over the meaning of the name, many others cast meaningful glances at Davos.

Davos was somewhat surprised. He had indeed overlooked the issue of the alliance's name earlier. While everyone was thinking, he had been considering it as well, but he hadn't expected Pleisinas to keep bringing him pleasant surprises. "Davos" meant "son of God," and some among the alliance's people believed that the magistrate's name had been bestowed by the gods—otherwise, how would his parents have known that their child would become a favorite of Hades, or even his blood descendant (word had spread and become distorted)? "Daon" meant "god," and "Daonia" meant "land of the gods." Thus, the names "Daonia" and "Davos" were deeply connected.

Before Davos could respond, Mariji shouted loudly in approval, "Great name! Great name! The Greeks have a tradition of naming city-states after deities—like the Poseidonia you mentioned earlier, and the well-known Athens... Our alliance has been protected by Hades many times, allowing us to defeat larger forces with smaller numbers, turn weaknesses into strengths, and develop so rapidly in such a short time! To thank Hades, our alliance's emblem is Hades, our army's battle standard is Hades, and we're building a temple for him—but that's not enough! All the people of the alliance should receive his blessings. So the name Daonia is just right! I believe that with it, our alliance will develop even more swiftly!..."

For a Persian to discourse at length on Greek deities and divine favor might seem odd to outsiders, but the senators listened intently. Some were already nodding in agreement. Since the army was on campaign, many of the former mercenary senators who firmly supported Davos were absent, and without their clamor, the scene was somewhat subdued.

Davos looked around and fixed his gaze on Cornelius and Kynogoratas. "City Administrators, what do you think of this name?"

Cornelius lowered his head. "I have no objection."

Kynogoratas glanced at Pleisinas, then looked directly at Davos. "I am in full agreement. It's a good name."

"Then let it be the Daonia City-State League!" Davos said calmly, making the final decision.

...

After the meeting, Davos walked out with the other senators, taking care not to deliberately speak with Pleisinas.

When they stepped outside, all the senators were stunned. Before the Amendolara Senate building stood a dense crowd of citizens, stretching all the way down the hill. Among them were wives who had lost their husbands to the Lucanians, old people who had lost their children, children who had lost their fathers, hundreds of Thurians who had developed a fear of the Lucanians, and Amendolara residents anxious about the front lines (the families of the soldiers on campaign were almost all in Amendolara). They stood silently, and when they saw Davos and the others emerge, someone yelled first, followed by thunderous cheers: "Hail, the Thua Alliance!!!"

"Hail, the Senate!!!"

"Hail, Lord Davos!!!"

"Thank you!!! Thank you..."

Everyone cheered with all their might, tears of excitement glistening in their eyes—the release of years of humiliation! The catharsis of fulfilled vengeance! The joy of no longer living in fear!

The Thua Alliance, led by Davos, had captured Nerulum and resolved Thurii's long-standing troubles in one stroke. The people's heartfelt gratitude moved every senator. At that moment, they felt the pride and honor of being senators of the Thua Alliance, just as Davos had said: We will lead the people to build a prosperous and powerful Daonia City-State League! We will make it so that Daonians, no matter which city-state around the Mediterranean they find themselves in, can proudly declare themselves Daonian citizens, and no foreigner will dare to harm them!

Tlatos naturally witnessed this impressive and moving scene. No matter what he felt inside, the information he sent back to the Croton City Hall remained brief: The Thua Alliance has captured Nerulum; Laüs has become its ally.

The generals and Council members of Croton, such as Myron and Lysias, were surprised by this news. Since Davos had led his mercenaries to Magna Graecia, less than a year had passed, and the high success rate of the battles he commanded had already instilled a hint of fear in them.