Volume 5: The Hegemon of Southern Italy, Chapter 98: The Bruttian War Begins

“Oh, hold on, hold on. I remember you just said Daonia was founded only a year ago, and in less than two years it’s become the hegemon of Magna Graecia?! That’s… that’s…”

“You want to say ‘a miracle,’ right? I heard the magistrate of Daonia is Hades’ ‘God-Touched One’—very young, but he’s never lost a battle he commanded. Lucanians, Crotonians, Locrians… they’ve all fallen to him one after another. Maybe it really is a miracle!”

“If that’s the case, Daonia is so powerful in Magna Graecia that Corinth had better not sour relations with it over such a trivial matter as the arena…”

“That’s your Corinthian business, Iavones.”

“Alright, Hipparchus, talk about your Rhegium. You’re right here in Magna Graecia—why haven’t you allied with mighty Daonia?”

“We Rhegians have no desire to contend for hegemony in Magna Graecia. We just want to live our own lives.”

“Everyone thinks that way. But Hipparchus, the gods are fickle. One day, Rhegium might be dragged into the conflicts of the Greek city-states here. Rather than be passive, it’s better to proactively seek a strong ally…”

…

After that farce, everyone talked about that foreigner and the strange city-state alliance called Daonia. It was only then that the name Daonia began to be known by more Greeks in the Greek mainland. But that’s a later story.

At that moment, in the stands of this arena, many were inquiring about Daonia’s origins.

Among the listeners were two young men from Thebes. After hearing the conversation between Hipparchus and Iavones, one of them said excitedly, “Daonia—what a strange city-state alliance! Don’t you think so, Epaminondas?”

The other young man sighed. “To dominate Magna Graecia in such a short time—it’s not just the magistrate’s ability. The political system of the Daonia Alliance must have something unique about it!”

“Exactly what I think! I’ve made up my mind!” the young man exclaimed. “Next year, when my studies are over, I’m going to visit Daonia. You’ll come with me, won’t you?”

Epaminondas shook his head. “I’m sorry, Pelopidas. You know that for the last few years my teacher Lysis has been spreading the teachings of the Pythagorean school in Corinth. I don’t have to run all the way to Tarentum anymore; I can study near him and also help him with some matters. So I can’t go that far—I can’t afford to waste time.”

The young man named Pelopidas grabbed Epaminondas’ arm. “That guy just said Daonia’s central city is in Thurii, right across the Gulf of Taranto. It takes less than two or three days by boat from the Gulf of Corinth—it’s not far at all! Besides, you’re my best friend. How can you bear to let me travel so far alone?”

Corinth imprisoned Adrianx and Lizaru. The remaining members of the Daonia athletic delegation had no heart to continue competing. They hastily sent messengers back to Thurii to report.

The Senate convened to discuss the matter. A minority of senators, led by Polyxides, argued that Lizaru’s reckless behavior had damaged Daonia’s image, and Adrianx, as head of the delegation, had failed to manage the team, making Daonia a laughingstock across Greece. They should both be punished by the Alliance!

Davos firmly opposed this. He argued that Adrianx and Lizaru had done nothing wrong; the fault lay with the conservative Corinthians, whose narrow ethnic prejudices rejected the multi-ethnic Daonians! Since those self-styled orthodox Greeks refused to let Daonian citizens made up of Lucanians, Thracians, and other races compete, then Daonians didn’t need to participate in the four great games! Daonia had the ability and the strength to organize its own games!…

Davos’ speech won the support of most senators, especially Vespa, Hemon, Butler, Mariji, and Epithenis, who responded enthusiastically.

But to make Corinth release Lizaru and Adrianx, the Senate had few options. After all, Corinth was an established Greek power that would not take the newly risen Daonia Alliance seriously, and Daonia’s current strength could not influence Corinth. Therefore, the only way was to send envoys to apologize to Corinth and donate a certain amount of gold and silver to Corinth’s Temple of Poseidon, so that the delegation members could return safely.

Except for Mesis, who opposed it, everyone else agreed. For Davos, the most important thing now was to concentrate all efforts on dealing with the Bruttians and avoid creating new complications. So, though reluctant, he had to swallow this humiliation for the time being.

During the autumn harvest, the citizens were busy reaping.

Davos was not idle either. He secretly went to the city of Asperustum several times to test the river valley leading to Ambarnia. He also carefully observed the river conditions on the north bank of the upper Crati River and the location and environment of Besidia on the opposite bank. He even went to Laüs to survey the mountain roads leading to the region of Vergae. He was accompanied by Little Heracleides, Mentotikels, Mesis, and others. Wherever they went, they measured the river’s flow rate and depth, considered the feasibility of building roads and bridges, and issues of grain transport.

After returning, Davos also repeatedly discussed the attack plan with senior military officers such as Philistos, Carpus, and Drakos.

At the end of September, before the autumn harvest had fully ended, news came from Trina: some Bruttians had broken into Trina’s territory and been captured!

In reality, the truth was: after Antaoris’ embassy to Cosentia, the Bruttian Tribal Alliance had accelerated its attacks on and absorption of tribes that refused to be incorporated, forcing some Bruttians unwilling to join the alliance to flee the mountains.

Davos, however, seized on this and had Aristelas send his agents to spread rumors in cities such as Thurii, Amendolara, and Crimissa: the Bruttians were uniting the tribes; once a strong tribal alliance was established, they would attack Daonia. These were only tentative raids by the Bruttians…

At the same time, they reminded the people: don’t forget the countless blood debts the Bruttians had incurred in their repeated plundering of Magna Graecia’s city-states!

The Daonian cities were soon shrouded in tension, and the citizens were even more agitated, strongly demanding war against the Bruttians to avenge the blood debts and eliminate the threat!

In early October, the autumn harvest ended, and the whole of Daonia was filled with calls for war. The time was ripe for military action against the Bruttians.

After several rounds of discussion, the Senate announced to the citizens: The Bruttians, ignoring Daonia’s peace proposals and warnings, had wantonly destroyed Daonia’s ally, the Sylu tribe. Based on the alliance treaty and moral principles, Daonia declared war on the Bruttians!

Thus, the Bruttian War officially began!

In the square of Asperustum, soldiers of the Fourth Army Corps from Crimissa and Asperustum were assembling…

In Thurii’s Victory Square, soldiers of the First and Second Army Corps from Thurii and Amendolara were assembling…

In the square of Nerulum, some soldiers of the Third Army Corps were assembling…

Because Grumentum was extremely important, it was necessary to stabilize the situation in the Lucanian region, so the citizens belonging to the Third Army Corps in that city could not be moved lightly.

Just as the pre-war preparations were proceeding in an orderly manner, Davos received again in his mansion the surviving leader of the Sylu tribe, Hegesistus.

“Daonia has already declared war on the Bruttians. I believe it won’t be long before you hear news of victory. The Bruttians, ignoring our warnings, still slaughter our Greek compatriots wantonly—they will be punished!” Davos promised solemnly.

Hegesistus’ eyes filled with tears, and he said gratefully, “Lord Davos, thank you! Truly, thank you for selflessly helping our weak little tribe! You are truly worthy of being Hades’ God-Touched One! The guardian of justice and fairness in Magna Graecia! All we surviving Sylu people will pray to Hades ceaselessly, blessing you with health and peace! And may the Daonian citizens return victorious soon! At the same time, I have a small request, and I hope you will grant it.”

“Oh, what request?”

“I and my tribesmen wish to join your army, to fight alongside you and take revenge on the Bruttians!” Hegesistus said excitedly.

“I understand your feelings, but the Daonian army undergoes arduous training and is bound by strict discipline. Violating military regulations can even lead to execution. Your joining might not increase our strength; instead, it could hinder our combat effectiveness. Because if you violate the Military Code, tell me, should I punish you or not? So I cannot agree to your request.” Davos refused tactfully but firmly.

Hegesistus looked disappointed. Unwilling to give up, he said, “Then… then we can… be guides!”

“We only need two or three guides.” Davos saw his deep disappointment and felt the time was ripe, so he said, “But there is something you can do, and if done well, it can deal the heaviest blow to the Bruttian Tribal Alliance!”

“What?!” Hegesistus asked urgently.

“Last time, I heard you say that in the Bruttian region, some tribes are unwilling to merge but only submit because of the Bruttian Tribal Alliance’s strength… I hope you can slip back into Bruttium, wait for news that the Daonian army has entered the Bruttian mountains, and then persuade these tribes to rise up against the alliance. By then, defeating the Bruttian Tribal Alliance will be easy!” Davos said, then looked at him with slight apology. “But for you, having just escaped from Bruttium, going back is quite dangerous—”