Volume 5: The Hegemon of Southern Italy, Chapter 53 Avinogis's Feast

Laüs had only been part of the Daonia Alliance for a year, yet its port had changed so dramatically that Canios was genuinely astonished.

His ship had to wait a while before a berth became available for docking. Officials from the Laüs City Hall, having been notified, were already waiting on the shore to greet him. Canios gladly accepted the officials' invitation to meet the master of this city—the magistrate, Avinogis.

"Is this port always this busy?" Canios asked amid the bustling crowd.

"Yes," the official said proudly. "Merchants from the Daonia Alliance like to come here to charter ships heading north to Gaul or west to the Iberian Peninsula for trade. Then they return laden with goods, disembark here, and transport them back to Thurii by mule train. A few months ago, after the South Italian League was founded, it's gotten even busier! Merchant ships from Trina, Caulonia, Croton, and Scylletium also come to Laüs from time to time. As long as they're allied with the Daonia Alliance, we provide the best service and discounted fees for docking, accommodation, and supplies. Now that Grumentum has joined the Daonia Alliance, even more merchants come here, most of them after Grumentum's fine iron ore... Laüs would very much welcome Elean merchants to trade here too!"

Canios was about to respond with a smile when a furious shout came from ahead: "Out of the way, you damned idiots!"

That was followed by cries of pain. Canios saw two naked men lying by the roadside ahead, their bodies covered in bloody welts from a whip, with several heavy sacks toppled beside them.

"Those slaves are Lucanians," the official quickly explained, anxious not to leave a bad impression on the guest. "Their ancestors forcibly conquered Laüs, turning all the Greeks here into slaves, making our lives a living hell for generations. Now Lord Avinogis has led us in recapturing Laüs! A year ago, they were still the masters of this city, ordering us about like cattle. Now we Greeks are once again the masters of Laüs, and they get to taste what it's like to be slaves!"

Canios looked at the agitated official and thought to himself: *You don't exactly look like a pure Greek yourself.*

"You've turned all the Lucanians who were in this city into slaves?!" he asked.

"Not all of them. Some who had relatives among the Lucanian citizens of the Daonia Alliance were later released by Lord Avinogis and went to Nerulum. By now, they've probably become Daonian citizens too. Who knows why the Daonians are so lenient with these barbarians who worship alien gods!" the official muttered under his breath, still resentful but not shouting as loudly as before.

Canios was struck by this—it showed the influence Daonia had over its subordinate city-states.

The city of Laüs, located near the mouth of the Lao River, was not very large. Its citizen population was less than five thousand, consisting mainly of two groups: one was the tribe that Avinogis's family had always commanded, which was the core of his power as lifelong magistrate of Laüs. After converting these tribesmen into citizens, Avinogis had also distributed land to them. The other group was former Greek slaves, whom Avinogis had freed and granted citizenship, but without any "allotment" of land. To make a living, they served as low-level city clerks, hired laborers, or dockworkers... Fortunately, Laüs's taxes weren't too heavy. As long as they were hardworking, they could probably save a little.

Although Avinogis claimed to be a descendant of Greeks, he knew well in his heart that he and most of the city's citizens were of mixed blood. Thus, the citizens of Laüs shared a similar sense of inferiority, exclusivity, and ethnic identity. Moreover, since he had rescued them from slavery, as long as he treated the people well, they would support him. So even though he imitated Davos and styled himself lifelong magistrate, in reality, the Laüs Council was just a decoration. There was no Assembly, and all matters, big or small, were decided by Avinogis alone. He was a genuine tyrant.

Canios met Avinogis in the so-called City Hall—which was really just the ruler's mansion. This burly, obese magistrate with a rather fierce-looking face had actually prepared a banquet. Enthusiastically, he gave a welcome speech to Canios and invited him to take a seat.

This put Canios, who had been somewhat on guard, at ease. After sitting down, he raised his wine cup and expressed sincere gratitude for Avinogis's generous hospitality, then said, "I came to Laüs three years ago, but this time I find it greatly changed. The port trade is especially flourishing. You've only been free for a little over a year, yet you've achieved such great results. Magistrate, you must have put in a lot of effort!"

Avinogis was pleased by Canios's flattery. He laughed heartily and said, "Of course, I've spared no effort, but I should thank our ally Daonia even more. In this alliance, Laüs enjoys many conveniences!"...

Canios listened thoughtfully.

Then Avinogis asked, "Elea sent you this time to join the Daonia Alliance?"

Canios was taken aback. Given Elea's situation and the timing of this mission, anyone with discernment could roughly guess its purpose. But Canios hadn't expected Avinogis to be so direct. He put down his wine cup, thought for a moment, and replied vaguely, "Whether to join the alliance or adopt some other form of treaty will depend on the outcome of negotiations with Daonia."

Avinogis looked at him and grinned. "Forgive my bluntness, but from what I know of Daonia, given Elea's current strength, Daonia probably won't accept any other form of treaty."

This clearly implied that Elea was not strong enough to expect better treatment in talks with Daonia. A little embarrassed, Canios lowered his head and drank his wine without saying anything.

Then Avinogis continued, "I hear that Elea has close ties with the Greek city-states of Campania. If Elea has any alliance with them, Daonia might not accept Elea into its alliance, because it doesn't allow allied city-states to have any diplomatic relations with other city-states."

Canios was inwardly startled; he hadn't known Daonia had such a rule regarding its allies. "Thank you for the reminder, Magistrate! The city-states of Campania have given Elea some help, but Elea has no alliance agreement with any of them," Canios replied without hesitation.

In truth, the Campanian League, led by Neapolis and Capua, had never agreed to accept Elea. This was because between Campania and Elea lay two powerful peoples—the Samnites and the Lucanians—and Elea was not strong. If it became an ally, Campania would constantly have to help Elea, while Elea could hardly make any significant contribution to the Campanian League. Those shrewd Greeks would never engage in such a losing proposition. Elea could trade with Campania only because both sides had mutual needs; hiring mercenaries from Campania to defend against Lucanian attacks required payment.

"That's excellent! Then let Elea join the Daonia Alliance. With Daonia's credibility and strength, the Lucanians will no longer be a problem for you. Moreover, as the only two port cities on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Daonia Alliance, Laüs and Elea can cooperate in the future and strengthen trade exchanges..." Avinogis laughed excitedly, offering his suggestion as if without ulterior motive.

Canios listened but remained silent. He could not make any casual表态 before meeting the principal himself. So he changed the subject: "Magistrate, you must have met Davos, the magistrate of the Daonia Alliance. What kind of man is he?"

"I've met him many times. I've even fought alongside him!" Avinogis said with great pride. Wiping the wine stains from his lips, he spoke solemnly: "Let me give you some advice! Never underestimate him because he is young. He is an extraordinary man!"

Since Elea was about to deal with Daonia, it had naturally done some research on Daonia, with the focus on Davos. The members of the Elean Council had mixed opinions about him: those who admired him pointed to his exceptional abilities—Daonia's rapid rise was certainly inseparable from his efforts; those who were uneasy were troubled by his status—he was the only lifelong magistrate, which was no different from Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse.

Whether cooperating with Daonia would be like inviting a wolf into the house was something Canios had to judge with his own observations. Laüs's prosperity had reduced his concerns, while Avinogis's words had increased his curiosity: Was this the admiration of one tyrant for another?

"By the way, I can take you to Thurii tomorrow," Avinogis suddenly said.

"Magistrate, I am already extremely grateful for your generous hospitality! How could I presume to trouble you to escort me personally? That would make me uncomfortable!" Canios said, both touched and politely declining.

"Hahaha!..." Avinogis laughed loudly. "Don't thank me. Taking you is only on the way. The Temple of Hades in Thurii has been completed, and Daonia has invited me to attend the ceremony!"

Avinogis's teasing made Canios a bit awkward, but he was even more astonished by what he had said: Temple of Hades?!

...

When Davos heard that Heracleides had fainted upon the completion of the Temple of Hades and was unconscious, he immediately set aside all his affairs and hurried to his home.

Heracleides had woken up, but he was completely unable to move. His eyes were half-open and lifeless, his mouth wide agape, his chest heaving rapidly up and down like a broken bellows, emitting a harsh, rasping sound...