The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe
Chapter 59 To Greater Greece

Chapter 59: Chapter 59 To Greater Greece

"At first, I didn’t know what ’the western Mediterranean’ referred to, but today, when the envoy from Thurii came to me, I understood that my dream was being fulfilled!" Juleios exclaimed with a surge of excitement, briefly recounting the story of Bourkos.

"Thurii wants to hire us to fight the indigenous people?" Kapus asked, his expression thoughtful.

"Yes," Juleios confirmed. "I’ve heard that the entire region of Greater Greece is under threat from the indigenous tribes. Thurii is merely the city-state suffering the most."

The officers exchanged glances, their faces marked with uncertainty. Antonios broke the silence, standing up and saying, "But Persia is far away from us, and Thurii is just as distant. Fighting in Thurii isn’t much different from fighting in Persia!"

Juleios gave Antonios a discreet nod of appreciation. On the surface, Antonios’s remark seemed critical, but it set the stage perfectly for Juleios to elaborate. With a serious tone, Juleios addressed the group:

"When we fought alongside Sparta against Persia, if we won, Sparta reaped the benefits while we received only meager wages. If we lost, we died on foreign soil, our souls unable to return to Hades. But going to Greater Greece is different—"

Juleios paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. He then continued, his voice growing more impassioned:

"First, as I mentioned earlier, Thurii offers us a salary of two daric gold coins per person per month—far more than what Darius the Younger paid us. Second, the people of Greater Greece are fellow Greeks. Fighting for them on their land means we’ll have their support and care. Third, unlike the barren Greek mainland, Greater Greece is a land of abundant rivers and fertile soil. Every city-state there is prosperous."

Juleios’s gaze swept across the room. "Does anyone know how many people Athens had during Pericles’s era?" He fixed his eyes on Alexis, a commander from Megara who had spent two years studying in Athens.

Alexis furrowed his brow in thought before answering, "About 300,000."

"Yes, 300,000—an astonishing number! But did you know that a few decades ago, Syracuse in Greater Greece also had a population of 300,000? Thurii, Croton, Locri, Tarentum, Rhegium, and Agrigento are all major city-states, just like Syracuse!" Juleios exclaimed, his voice resonating with admiration. "So, we’re not heading to some remote, backward region. Instead, we’re going to a land filled with vibrant cities and countless opportunities waiting for us!"

Epiphanes, always sharp and perceptive, interjected: "Leader Juleios, what opportunities are you referring to? Defeating the Lucanians for a hefty reward, or something else?"

Juleios smiled at the question, appreciating its directness. "Good question! That’s what I’m about to address—the last and greatest benefit of going to Thurii—" He raised a finger, his energy surging as he continued:

"The envoy said, ’Due to the massive invasions by the Lucanians and Bruttians, some small towns in southern Italy and Greater Greece have been captured by the indigenous tribes.’ What does this mean for us?"

Juleios clenched his fist and waved it in the air for emphasis. "It means that once we establish ourselves in Greater Greece and reclaim a small town, we’ll have the chance to become its rulers! We’ll no longer be looked down upon as landless freemen. Instead, we’ll be citizens of a city-state with land! We won’t be mere mercenaries, subject to the whims of others and unable to control our destinies. Instead, we’ll be masters of a city-state! I believe this is the mission the ’figure in my dream’ entrusted to me!"

His voice rose with conviction. "Regardless of your decisions, I’ve decided to go to Greater Greece and fulfill my mission!"

A charged silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of rapid breathing. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Juleios’s raised fist, their hearts pounding with a mix of longing and determination. The promise of land—something Greeks had fought over for millennia—resonated deeply.

Finally, Zipetes, his voice trembling, asked timidly, "But there are many powerful indigenous tribes there. Even the people of Greater Greece can’t stop them. How can we—"

Before he could finish, Amyntas sneered, "We’re not like those weaklings in Greater Greece! The Lucanians are no stronger than the Taucheans or Carduchians! If you’re scared, then don’t go!"

"Who said I wouldn’t go?! Leader Juleios, since this is Hades’s mission to you, I’ll give my life to help you accomplish it!" Zipetes declared, kneeling before Juleios with piety.

"Juleios, I’m your shield. How could I not follow you to Thurii?" Xilos raised his right fist, standing tall.

"And I, Amyntas, am your spear. A shield without a spear is incomplete!" Amyntas added, raising his fist as well.

"Leader, please allow me to continue handling military affairs for you so that you’ll have more time to think about winning wars!" Philesius stood, his voice resolute.

"Leader, going to Thurii cannot lack me as the vanguard!" Antonios rose from his seat.

"And I, Alexis, will always be your backup at critical moments!"

One by one, fists rose high, like a small forest of determination, as each officer pledged their loyalty.

Juleios, overwhelmed with emotion, swung his right arm forward and declared: "Brothers, follow me to the West to find our ’Elysium!’"

After securing the officers’ unanimous support, Juleios worked with them to craft a plan. They agreed to keep the true purpose of their journey to Thurii a closely guarded secret, swearing an oath to Hades for absolute discretion. They also committed to persuading their soldiers to join and secretly recruit other mercenaries in nearby camps—battle-hardened men who would strengthen their ranks.

Later, as Juleios returned to his tent with Marigi, the logistics officer broke the silence. "I’ll go to Thurii with you."

Juleios turned to him with a knowing smile. "A smart move."

Marigi scowled. "That’s why you let me listen in, isn’t it? If I refused, what would you do—kill me?"

Shaking his head, Juleios replied with a grin, "I’d just tie your hands and feet and throw you into the ship’s hold. Once we reached Thurii, I’d release you."

Marigi sighed, muttering, "I always thought you were a cultured, trustworthy Greek. I didn’t expect you to be just like the rest—a robber!"

Feigning surprise, Juleios retorted, "A robber? Is that how a slave speaks to the master who saved his life?"

Marigi froze, his expression one of utter shock, as though realizing he had completely misjudged the man before him.