The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe
Chapter 57 Juleios’s Army

Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Juleios’s Army

Juleios smiled faintly and said, "My answer is to accept Thurii’s employment."

Although somewhat prepared for this response, Bourkos couldn’t help but look overjoyed. His face lit up, and he clasped his hands together as if giving thanks to the gods.

"Don’t get too excited just yet!" Juleios added, his tone measured. "This is just my personal opinion. I still need to persuade the officers and soldiers under my command. Many of them, after more than a year of campaigning in Persia, are tired of war and eager to return home."

"Two daric gold coins per soldier per month!" Bourkos offered decisively, his voice almost trembling with urgency.

Juleios tilted his head, appearing to calculate. He finally asked, "How many men do you need?"

"Of course, the more, the better!" Bourkos blurted out without hesitation, his desperation overriding any sense of restraint.

Juleios chuckled softly. "Hah! Such bold talk! If I bring 5,000 men, the monthly salary and supplies would be an enormous expense. Can Thurii afford that?"

"I’ve told you, Thurii is one of the most prosperous city-states in Greater Greece! Even if you bring 10,000 men, Thurii alone could easily support you for a year!" Bourkos declared, his confidence now bordering on defiance.

"Alright, let’s hope so." Juleios’s tone was cautious but laced with intrigue. Then, he added, "Also, how do we get to Thurii? How many ships do you have?"

"I’ve already negotiated with the shipowners in Byzantium. As long as we pay, we can have as many ships as we need!"

Juleios nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. "And what about the Spartans here? Will they allow us to leave for Thurii?"

"I’ve received authorization from the Spartan Senate. Moreover, the governor of Byzantium, Cleander, is troubled by your presence. He’s eager to see you leave," Bourkos responded with confidence, his voice brimming with relief at having covered all possible objections.

With that, Juleios finally nodded. "It seems you’ve planned everything. Tomorrow morning, I’ll tell you how many soldiers I’ll lead and discuss a more detailed employment agreement with you."

"Good. I’ll come back tomorrow morning and hope for good news!" Despite the setbacks he had encountered before, Bourkos left the tent in high spirits, his hope rekindled.

As the tent flap fell closed behind him, Chrysothemis, who had been quietly observing, broke her silence. "My dear, are you really planning to go to Thurii?"

Juleios turned to her, his sharp eyes glittering with excitement. "Yes! Chrysothemis, this might be a great opportunity—a chance for us to go from being fish in the water to becoming fishermen casting the net!"

Meanwhile, in another corner of the camp, Matonis sat cross-legged on the ground, fidgeting slightly. His thoughts were a mixture of excitement and curiosity. Since becoming a squad leader, he had rarely been summoned to discussions involving camp policies. Now, with the messenger Asistes urgently gathering all the squad leaders, he couldn’t help but wonder if some major decision was about to be announced.

Looking around, Matonis noticed Olivers laughing loudly with someone nearby. The sight annoyed him instantly. That fellow had also been promoted to squad leader and was now Matonis’s equal in rank. Every time he saw him, it sparked irritation. Raising his voice, Matonis barked, "Olivers, this is a military meeting, not your tent! Keep quiet!"

Olivers turned toward him, a smug grin on his face. "Oh, it’s brave Matonis. By the way, have you punished those two soldiers of yours who violated military regulations by robbing Byzantine citizens?"

Matonis’s face darkened instantly. Anger boiled inside him, but he bit back his retort, unwilling to escalate the situation.

Since entering Armenia, Juleios had risen as a pivotal leader among the mercenaries. His strategic brilliance not only earned him the respect of the army but also secured the loyalty of his subordinates. Seizing this influence, he had begun an ambitious reorganization of the army.

In the rugged terrains of Armenia, Phasiane, and Taochia, large-scale troop movements often proved impractical. Juleios adapted by merging the original fourteen 100-man units into seven 200-man companies. Each company was subdivided into four 50-man squads, a structure that improved both command efficiency and combat flexibility. In mountainous terrain, a squad was strong enough to fend off small-scale attacks, while a company could execute independent operations with precision. For instance, two squads could engage the enemy frontally, one could flank, and another could serve as reserves.

The impact of these reforms was undeniable. Soldiers began to boast privately, "Our Juleios isn’t just favored by Hades; he must also have Athena’s wisdom!"

Alongside the restructuring, Juleios used the casualties among officers as an opportunity to promote capable and trustworthy individuals. Prominent among these promotions was Xilos, who became a company commander, while Matonis, Olivers, and Georgilos were elevated to squad leaders. These changes not only strengthened Juleios’s control over the army but also fostered a sense of camaraderie among the ranks.

Juleios’s reforms extended beyond structure. Recognizing the need for discipline, he drafted a military code to curb the mercenaries’ notorious penchant for disorder. Initially, this was met with resistance. Soldiers accustomed to a freewheeling lifestyle bristled at the imposition of stricter rules. However, frequent skirmishes with local tribes, often provoked by undisciplined looting, underscored the necessity of reform.

Juleios’s reforms bore fruit. His unit became the most disciplined and effective in the mercenary force. Though the overall numbers of the Greek mercenaries dwindled—from 13,000 at Byzantium to just 9,000—Juleios’s unit miraculously retained its strength, holding steady at about 1,400 men.

This remarkable stability stemmed from four key factors:

Fair Leadership: Loot was distributed equitably, with Juleios himself refusing any personal share.Combat Efficiency: The unit’s casualty rates were consistently the lowest, attracting soldiers eager to survive the campaign.Medical Care: The medical camp established under Cristoia’s guidance saved countless lives, inspiring loyalty among the wounded.Charisma: Juleios’s reputation as a "Divine-favored" leader, coupled with his acts of compassion, endeared him to his men.

As Juleios entered the meeting tent that evening, the squad leaders, including Matonis and Olivers, straightened up. Behind him, Marigi followed, holding a set of maps and scrolls. The air in the tent was thick with anticipation.

Juleios surveyed the room, his eyes sharp and commanding. "Gentlemen," he began, "we have an important decision to make. A new opportunity lies before us, but it will require our unity, discipline, and resolve. Let’s begin."