Volume 5: The Hegemon of Southern Italy, Chapter 21: Entering the City

“Myron, the Crimissan people are now citizens of the Daonia Alliance!” Lysias sighed softly.

Myron’s roar abruptly ceased. He gasped for breath, kicked over a wooden chair by the window, and strode out of the room.

...

The news of Myron’s anger quickly reached Antaoris’s ears, but he paid it no mind. Earlier, when those they had sent to contact Daonia brought back Davos’s demands, the generals of Crimissa had hesitated over whether to join the Daonia Alliance. It was the decisive Antaoris who insisted and finally persuaded everyone to agree to Davos’s terms.

“Euricpus, take a hundred citizen soldiers to guard the temple, and prevent the Croton soldiers from looting our treasury when they retreat!”

“Pleades, you do the same—take a hundred citizen soldiers to watch the granaries!”

“The rest of you, come with me to find Lysias, and see if we can claim a portion of the supplies the Crotonians have piled up at the port. After living in Crimissa for so long, the Crotonians ought to pay some rent!” Antaoris said harshly.

“What about the common people? The Croton soldiers might go ransack their homes!” someone asked urgently.

“Hasn’t Davos already declared Crimissa annexed into Daonia? Let every household carve the words ‘I am now a Daonia citizen’ on their wooden doors. Which Crotonian would dare risk reigniting war by robbing a Daonia citizen?”

After Antaoris finished speaking, the people around him looked awkward and fell into silence. Crimissa had been independent for decades, and now it was to be merged into the Daonia Alliance. Daonia would govern Crimissa directly, which meant most of the original Crimissan Council members would lose their power. If not for the circumstances, they were not willing at all. In fact, some Crimissans had already answered Lysias’s call and were willing to retreat with the army to Croton. But Davos’s promises, along with the rapid rise of Thurii and Amendolara after their decline, persuaded most Crimissans—who as citizens of a small state had suffered enough from the oppression of larger ones—to no longer want that kind of life. Instead, they chose the victor of this war: the Daonia Alliance.

“Everyone, cheer up and do your best to accomplish these tasks!” Seeing this, Antaoris encouraged them loudly. “We’re not doing this for others, but for ourselves. If we can hand over a complete, resource-rich city of Crimissa to the Daonia Alliance and let them fully recognize our sincerity and ability, then more of us may be chosen to enter the Daonia Senate and, in the future, fight for more benefits for Crimissa!”

That afternoon, the first ships loaded with Croton soldiers began to depart from Crimissa’s port.

Compared to the somewhat excited soldiers, Myron looked gloomy. When Crimissa disappeared from his view, he turned to Lysias and said, “The treaty you signed has just handed the position of Magna Graecia’s hegemon over to Daonia! From now on, Croton will have to act according to Daonia’s whims!”

Lysias was silent for a moment, then said, “And who caused all this?”

Myron’s mouth twitched, his expression bitter.

“You’d better think carefully about how to answer the Council’s questions when you get back,” Lysias sighed.

While Croton’s army was sailing away from Crimissa, Davos led his forces into the city. Initially, he had only planned to bring in a symbolic contingent, but his generals objected. For safety’s sake, he brought half an Army Corps. Antaoris, Euricpus, Pleades, and the remaining members of the Crimissan Council came out of the city to welcome him.

At the Daonian camp, trumpets and drums played a light, rhythmic melody. When the Crimissans were drawn to this unheard-of music, the Daonian soldiers—clad in neat uniforms and stepping to the beat—formed a long column four abreast and marched steadily toward Crimissa.

At the head of the column was Martius, captain of Davos’s guard, holding high the military banner representing the supreme commander of the Daonian army. The golden statue of Hades, Lord of the Underworld, glittered brilliantly. Following him was the band of trumpeters and drummers. Behind them came several thousand soldiers, drawn from the First, Second, and Third Army Corps—all outstanding performers. Every so often along the column, a legion banner, a battalion banner, or a company banner was raised high, making the entire line a fluttering, gleaming spectacle. The soldiers were all smiling, their spirits high. To the Crimissans, it felt as though the Daonians weren't there to flaunt their power or declare sovereignty, but to attend a wedding—otherwise, the music wouldn’t be so joyful, the colors so vivid. The Crimissans even noticed that the Daonian soldiers carried no shields or spears, which surprised them and also moved them a little, for it showed trust in Crimissa!

Davos, the other legion commanders, and Avinogis did not ride horses. They walked in the middle of the column, surrounded by guards with red cloaks on their shoulders, making them quite conspicuous.

The column halted before the city gates of Crimissa.

Antaoris and his men approached. Davos and his group stepped out under the protection of the guards.

Antaoris walked straight toward Davos. Remembering the young magistrate he had seen in the Daonia Senate—sharp-tongued and rebuking them—he now wore a smile, yet it made Antaoris and the others unconsciously tense. It was the intangible pressure of overwhelming prestige from two great victories over Croton.

“Lord Davos, I, Antaoris, former chief general of Crimissa, and the former members of the Crimissan Council welcome you!” He bowed respectfully. Some behind him followed suit; others stood silently.

Davos immediately returned the courtesy with seriousness and said, “Thank you for your trust and support of the Daonia Alliance! The facts will prove that your choice is absolutely correct!”

“Oh, is that so? Then what benefits do we get for fully supporting Crimissa’s entry into Daonia?” someone interjected.

“Of course there are!” Davos ignored the odd tone and spoke earnestly and loudly: “Becoming a Daonia citizen, wherever you go in Magna Graecia, you will gain respect! Any violation of your rights, the Alliance will seek justice for you, whether you are noble or commoner! If you are brave and skilled in battle, you can earn land through military merit! If you are capable, you can pass examinations to hold public office and eventually, through merit, become a senator in the Senate, highly honored! Even if you are an ordinary citizen, you will enjoy the conveniences the Daonia Alliance provides for your life: a cheap but highly skilled hospital ensures citizens’ health, flat roads and bridges make travel and trade faster, Agricultural Affairs Officers assist citizens in farming, commercial officers can help you apply for low-interest loans for business. And we have well-trained, battle-tested citizen soldiers to protect our territory... So, when you become familiar with life in Daonia and understand its institutions and laws, you will see how different it is from other city-states. You will be proud to be a Daonia citizen!” At this point, Davos was clearly boasting a little with satisfaction.

Antaoris, Euricpus, and others exchanged glances, seemingly quite moved; some appeared thoughtful.

“Oh... if Daonia is so good, then will we have a chance to become magistrates in the future?” someone said then.

At this, Capus, Drakos, Hieronymus, and even Avinogis widened their eyes, feeling the speaker had ill intent—clearly challenging Davos.

The Crimissans also changed expressions, fearing they might anger Davos and bring harm to Crimissa.

Davos, however, remained calm. The most criticized aspect of Daonia among other Greek city-states was undoubtedly this. He knew well that Crimissa was different from Amendolara and Thurii. Both those cities had been saved by Davos on the brink of destruction; the people were grateful and in need of strong protection. They had little objection to Davos becoming the alliance’s lifelong magistrate. Moreover, Davos had always abided by the law, discussed matters with the Senate, and rarely acted arbitrarily. The only exception was recently, when he overruled everyone to advocate for the Battle of Croton, which turned out victorious. Over time, the populace had accepted it. As for Nerulum, the Lucanians believed in strong authority, so they had no dissent.

Only Crimissa, once an enemy conquered by Daonia’s power, had some who were unwilling and scrutinized Daonia with sharp eyes. So Davos would not be polite: “Daonia developed rapidly to become a strong state in Magna Graecia and even defeated Croton precisely because we have a political system different from other Magna Graecia city-states. I heard that some Crimissans have already left with the Crotonians. If any citizens do not like Daonia, they may now leave freely. But those who stay and become Daonia citizens must quickly adapt to Daonia’s institutions and obey its laws!”

The sharpness in Davos’s words made some Crimissans who wanted to raise objections wisely fall silent.

“Look, this is Daonia’s—mmph.” The same speaker tried to criticize again, but two guards sent by Antaoris covered his mouth.

“Lord Davos, it’s our fault for keeping the Daonian soldiers waiting so long. Please, let us enter the city together!” Antaoris said apologetically.

“Very well!” Davos gave him a meaningful smile.