The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe
Chapter 56 Thurii

Chapter 56: Chapter 56 Thurii

Juleios focused his gaze and saw a middle-aged man enter the tent. The man was of medium build, with a friendly and approachable demeanor.

The middle-aged man also observed Juleios.

Although he had heard rumors about this mercenary leader, he was still surprised by how young he looked in person. However, Juleios was no longer the same as he had been half a year ago during the great battle at the Centrites River. Now, he had a beard along his jaw, a scar on his face, and the weariness and bloodshed of countless hardships etched into his features. His eyes were sharper, carrying a penetrating intensity.

"I, Bourkos of Thurii, greet you, Leader Juleios!" The middle-aged man stepped forward and saluted Juleios.

"Thurii?" Juleios was momentarily confused. In his previous life, he had not specialized in history and knew nothing about this city-state. The fragmented, uneducated memories of his current body offered no assistance either.

Noticing his confusion, Chrysothemis softly explained, "The city of Thurii is located on the western side of the Gulf of Taranto in Greater Greece. It is the youngest Greek colony in southern Italy. After Sybaris was destroyed twice by Croton, the displaced Sybarites sought help from Athens. At that time, Pericles was Athens’ leading general. He responded to their request and decided to establish a new Pan-Hellenic city-state on the ruins of Sybaris. He called upon all the Greek city-states, including Miletus, to send settlers. This is how Thurii was founded..."

"Madam, everything you said is correct. I admire your extensive knowledge!" Bourkos was surprised to see a woman in such an important setting, but he remained polite.

"Sybaris... Sybaris..." Juleios muttered the name repeatedly, feeling it sounded familiar. Suddenly, he remembered: "Ah, isn’t that the place where the citizens lived so lavishly that they even trained their warhorses to dance? And in the end, they were defeated by Croton using music?"

"Yes, that’s correct," Bourkos replied, watching Juleios’s excitement and doubting whether the rumors of his extraordinary abilities were true.

Juleios recalled the story because, in his previous life, the downfall of Sybaris due to its extravagance had become a famous cautionary tale in Western culture, even linked to the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras. Italy!

... Juleios thought for a moment, his interest piqued. "What brings you here to find me?"

Bourkos tensed up. Initially confident, he had become increasingly uncertain after being rejected by several leaders. Juleios was now his last hope. "The city of Thurii is under attack by native tribes. We seek to hire you and your soldiers to help us repel them."

Juleios exchanged a glance with Chrysothemis.

Bourkos continued, "Of course, we are prepared to pay you handsomely!"

"How much?" Juleios leaned forward, his interest clearly piqued.

Sensing hope, Bourkos straightened up and confidently declared, "One daric gold coin per soldier per month!"

Juleios remained silent, leaning back in his chair.

"Oh, I misspoke," Bourkos stammered, now visibly nervous. "It should be one and a half... no, no! Two daric gold coins!"

"What’s happening in Thurii that makes you so desperate?" Juleios asked, a faint smile forming on his face.

Bourkos realized he had underestimated the young man. Feeling cornered, he admitted, "Leader Juleios, if you’re willing to collaborate with Thurii, it’s best to tell you the truth."

Adjusting his composure, Bourkos continued with a heavy heart, "The native Lucanians have launched a large-scale invasion of Thurii’s territory. The city’s assembly decided to mobilize forces to repel them, but... our army was ambushed and suffered devastating losses. Most of the soldiers were killed, their bodies mutilated and left outside the city. Less than 300 citizens managed to return.

"When I left, the natives had not yet begun their siege but had already occupied Amendolara to the north. This has caused widespread panic among the citizens of Thurii, and now all their hopes rest on me."

Having seen too much bloodshed and tragedy in the past year, Juleios remained unmoved by Bourkos’s distress. Instead, he asked in astonishment, "Were all the soldiers citizens of Thurii?"

"Yes, Thurii is one of the most prosperous city-states in Greater Greece!" Bourkos replied, wiping away tears, his tone tinged with pride.

"Eleven thousand soldiers, yet they were defeated? Are the Lucanians that strong?" Juleios asked curiously.

"No, not exactly. The Lucanians only had about 8,000 troops," Bourkos admitted reluctantly, fearing that Juleios might be deterred. "It was primarily due to poor leadership. Our commanders were too reckless and fell into an ambush."

"Ah, I see," Juleios said, stroking his beard. "Why didn’t you seek help from other city-states?"

"We have a defensive alliance among the southern Italian city-states, but for some reason, native tribes have begun attacking multiple city-states in recent years. Tarentum, Locri, and Croton are too preoccupied to support us. Syracuse is also dealing with a Carthaginian threat.

"I even sought help from the Spartans, but they seem to be in conflict with Persia and rejected my request. However, they did agree to facilitate my recruitment of mercenaries in Greece." Bourkos sighed helplessly.

"Why come to us when Greece has no shortage of soldiers?" Juleios pressed further.

"I had already recruited some soldiers in Ephesus," Bourkos replied eagerly, "but when I heard about your exploits, I realized you were the best choice! Anyone who could retreat safely from the heart of Persia must be formidable. If I could hire experienced warriors like you, defeating the Lucanians would be guaranteed.

"When I heard from a merchant ship in Ephesus that you were seen in Chrysopolis, I immediately set out to find you. By the time I arrived, you had already moved to Byzantium."

Despite Bourkos’s flattery, Juleios remained thoughtful. He nodded and continued to ask, "How strong are the Lucanians? What kind of soldiers do they have? What about their equipment and fighting style?"

The barrage of questions overwhelmed Bourkos. Initially, he answered confidently, but as Juleios delved into more complex topics—such as the size of Lucanian territory, the number of their cities, their economy, political structure, and foreign relations—he began to struggle.

Realizing Juleios’s depth of knowledge, Bourkos became increasingly convinced that this was no ordinary mercenary leader. His confidence grew, believing that Juleios was genuinely interested in helping.

"I understand the situation now," Juleios finally said.

Bourkos let out a long sigh of relief, feeling that this interrogation was even more grueling than answering questions at a citizens’ assembly.

"I imagine that Timasion, Zantiparis, and Cleanor all refused your offer, correct?" Juleios asked.

Bourkos stared at him in surprise.

"My camp is at the back, so you must have passed by them to reach me. As far as I know, Timasion wants to return to Aeolia, his homeland. Zantiparis and Cleanor, on the other hand, have accepted lucrative offers from a Thracian chieftain named Seuthes and are preparing to work for him."

Realizing he could no longer conceal anything, Bourkos confessed openly, "Yes, Leader Juleios, you are my last hope. Will you accept or refuse?"