Volume 6: The Meeting of Two Heroes, Chapter 53: Declare War on Locri

In fact, there were some cultural ties between Daonia and Locri. When the city of Thurii was first founded, the Athenian sage Protagoras crafted its laws. He did not simply adopt Athenian law; instead, recognizing that Thurii was a city-state with many immigrants and a complex mix of origins, he based them on the famous laws of the Locrian lawgiver Zaleucus. The Daonia Alliance was established on the ruins of the original Thurii and absorbed the essence of Thurii’s earlier laws.

Zaleucus was renowned for his strict and severe legal code. He once decreed: “Anyone who wishes to change any part of the existing laws must first have a rope tied around his neck; if his proposal is not approved, he shall be strangled.” Throughout his life, Zaleucus enforced the law with impartiality. When his own son committed a crime punishable by blinding under the law, he did not hesitate to carry out the sentence. However, out of fatherly affection, he sacrificed one of his own eyes in place of his son’s.

With such a figure setting the example and such laws governing the Locrians, they were known throughout Magna Graecia for their strict adherence to rules—unlike the fervent and impulsive nature of citizens in most Greek city-states (and later, the Daonians joined them in that reputation). This also made them more obedient to commands, which is how they were able to withstand Croton, a stronger power.

Perhaps it was precisely because of their harsh laws that Locri’s patron deities were not the powerful gods typically chosen by other city-states, such as Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, or Athena. Instead, they chose two gentle goddesses: Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and Persephone, the queen of the underworld and goddess of fertility. They built magnificent temples to each goddess. So when Daonia held its Festival of Hades on the ninth day of September each year, a few Locrians would attend—not only for Thurii’s unique rituals and lively atmosphere but also because the Daonians, while honoring Hades, would also celebrate his queen, Persephone.

Moreover, because the city’s patron deities were two goddesses, Locrian women enjoyed a higher social status than women in other city-states. They were permitted to appear in public veiled and held partial inheritance rights. In this way, they were somewhat similar to the Daonians.

Yet, these two Greek powers, close in culture and similar in customs, were unfortunately destined to become enemies.

Phraocleon had not yet reached Locri when the Locrian Council had already learned of the assassination attempt on the Daonian magistrate. Though Thurii had sealed off the entire city shortly after the incident, the Daonian Alliance, as the hegemon of South Italy, had its eyes and ears stationed or hidden in Thurii’s city and port from Locri, other city-states in the South Italy Alliance, and Tarentum—all monitoring Daonia’s movements so their own city-states could respond in time. Thus, when such a major disturbance occurred, it was naturally observed by those with a stake. After quickly ascertaining the situation, they rushed back to their respective city-states by ship or by horse.

Phraocleon set out the following day and ended up falling behind. When his ship entered Locri’s harbor, the harbor officials swiftly sent word to the Council in the city. The Locrian councilors were astonished that a Daonian envoy should appear at such a time.

A few among Locri’s generals and councilors knew something of the true inside story of this assassination. For example, General Demodokas, brother of Doris—the Locrian wife of Dionysius—wishfully believed that Daonia would again protest to Syracuse. He never imagined their envoy would show up in Locri.

Despite their surprise, out of courtesy and respect for Daonia as the hegemon of South Italy, Phraocleon was invited into the council hall.

Like other democratic city-states, Locri’s Assembly was the supreme authority. For routine political matters, apart from discussing and deciding major state affairs, governance was entrusted to the Council of Generals and the Council.

The Council, simply put, was a reduced Assembly. It divided all citizens eligible for the Assembly into groups—usually ten—who took turns participating in city-state affairs through the Council. At this time, the council hall held eight generals and several hundred council members, a considerable gathering, much larger than the Daonia Senate by several times.

After a brief preparation, Phraocleon was invited by the Council president to step to the center of the hall.

“Councilors of Locri, I, Phraocleon, envoy of the Daonia Alliance, have come here to demand an accounting from Locri on behalf of all Daonian citizens!” Phraocleon stated his purpose directly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding councilors erupted in shock and commotion. He did not stop but raised his voice: “I think you must all know of the terrible incident in which Daonia’s great magistrate and the beloved commander of our citizens—Davos—was assassinated. It has ignited the fury of all Daonian citizens! Now, one assassin was captured on the spot. After interrogation, he confessed the truth, admitting he was hired and aided by a Locrian merchant named Orolas to successfully infiltrate Thurii and carry out the assassination of the magistrate Davos—”

“This is slander! This is a frame-up!” Locri’s chief general, Demodokas, immediately cut off Phraocleon, shouting in rebuttal: “Locri would not provoke you Daonians for no reason! Locrians are not that foolish!...”

“But facts are facts! Thurii conducted a thorough investigation, and the evidence is conclusive! The Daonia Senate confirmed it repeatedly and has determined that the masterminds behind this assassination are none other than you Locrians!” Phraocleon pointed his finger at the crowd below, righteous and indignant, shouting in anger.

The Council exploded: “Is the Daonia Senate full of fools? What does this have to do with us Locrians? Why don’t you go question Syracuse!”

“This is obviously that man’s usual trick—he’s done this many times in Sicily, assassinating political enemies in other city-states!”

“What conclusive evidence? It must all be fabricated! Daonia only dares to blame Locri because you don’t have the guts to provoke Syracuse! Even if that merchant named O... Orolas is a Locrian, he could have been bribed by another city-state. Did you Daonians interrogate him? And you just assume we Locrians orchestrated it!”

...

Phraocleon ignored their arguments and insults and continued: “Therefore, the Daonia Senate and all its citizens are deeply outraged by Locri’s despicable conduct and demand that you accept punishment. First, repent your wrongs to Hades—you must send envoys to Thurii to publicly apologize to the Senate. Second, pay compensation to the Daonian people who were injured or killed in this incident. Third—”

Facing the furious assembly, Phraocleon showed no fear, his voice firm and loud: “Sever your alliance with Syracuse! If you do this, Daonia will forgive Locri for its past actions and welcome you into the—”

Before Phraocleon could finish, he was drowned out by angry shouts: “Locri did nothing wrong! Why should we accept these unreasonable demands from Daonia!”

“This is an insult! An insult to Locri!”

“This is Daonia’s plot! They want to break Locri’s alliance with Syracuse!”

Not only were the council members shouting abuse, but a few, ignoring the pleas of others, rushed toward the center of the hall.

The first to rush forward was one of the generals, Diopantos. This hot-tempered general charged up and threw a punch at Phraocleon, knocking him to the ground.

As he was about to kick him, another general, Metrophanes, grabbed him and shouted urgently: “Do not violate the sacred tradition of ‘the inviolability of city-state envoys’! Do not break Locri’s laws!”

At the word “laws,” the Locrians who had rushed up and surrounded Phraocleon all froze.

Metrophanes seized the opportunity to call out: “Demodokas, if you don’t calm them down, they will face severe punishment for breaking the law!”

Demodokas, who had been watching from the sidelines, was singled out by Metrophanes. As chief general, he had to step forward. First, he defended himself: “Insulting Locri makes one Locri’s enemy. How can defending the city’s honor be considered illegal?!”

“He’s right!” someone immediately echoed.

“Alright, everyone, step back. The council hall is a sacred place. We Locrians are a civilized city-state—not like Thurii. We must not do anything to humiliate an envoy...” Demodokas said as he walked forward, and the council members obediently returned to their seats.

Demodokas had served as Locri’s chief general for nine consecutive years, largely thanks to his in-law Dionysius. Locri had originally allied with Syracuse to use its power to defeat its longtime enemy, Croton. But unexpectedly, while Croton was weakened, an even stronger Daonia Alliance emerged. Especially after the South Italy Alliance was formed, Locri became even more isolated in Magna Graecia, making it more dependent on Syracuse, which elevated the status of Demodokas’s family. With Dionysius intentionally supporting his brother-in-law, Demodokas’s influence in Locri was now greater than ever.

Diopantos let out a resentful snort and retreated.

Phraocleon staggered to his feet, still refusing to concede: “The old city of Thurii once insulted an envoy, and in the end, it was burned to the ground...”

“Daonian, if you want to act tough, you’d better pick the right place. This is not one of those city-states in your so-called South Italy Alliance that fawns over you. This is Locri!” Demodokas sneered, proclaiming proudly: “Locri neither did nor would stoop to assassinating your magistrate. We reject all of Daonia’s unreasonable demands. Now get out of here!”

Rejection. Though this response was expected, Phraocleon was secretly pleased. He calmly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his finger, held his hand out to Demodokas, rubbed his fingers together, and then opened his palm to reveal a smear of red. With a solemn expression, he said slowly, each word deliberate: “Then this means war!”