The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe
Chapter 98 The Citizens’ Assembly

Chapter 98: Chapter 98 The Citizens’ Assembly

"Turii again! Selfish Turii! Damn Turii! May Nemesis curse them!" Cornelius growled through gritted teeth, his usual calm replaced by an uncharacteristic fury.

For someone as gentle and good-natured as Cornelius to harbor such bitterness, Juleios could already guess the reason—Archita had explained it to him. Still, he feigned curiosity. "Lord Cornelius, I thought Turii and Amendolara were allies. Why do you bear such hatred for them?"

Cornelius’s face darkened as he spoke, his voice trembling with anger. "Turii forced us to abandon Amendolara, threatening that they would not assist us if the Lucanians besieged our city. They claimed the south was under attack, that the north was safe, and so we reluctantly gathered our supplies and opened the gates to relocate to Turii. But then..." His voice faltered, and his eyes shone with unshed tears. "The Lucanians attacked us by surprise, drifting down the Sinni River to strike when we were most vulnerable.

"For over half a year, we endured suffering beyond words. Our temple was desecrated, our women violated, our children starved, and our citizens slaughtered. All because of Turii’s selfish decision!" Cornelius’s composure cracked, and he sobbed openly. "Yet Turii remains unscathed, its citizens untouched by our agony. Every Amendolaran hates Turii more than they hate the Lucanians!"

Juleios sighed heavily. "Such grief... there are no words for it."

Cornelius wiped his tears and looked at Juleios. "Your soldiers told us that retaking Amendolara was your decision—not Turii’s order. Is that true?"

"It is."

"Then we owe Turii nothing!" Cornelius declared firmly. His voice gained strength as he continued, "Whatever Turii promised you, we will double it if you stay!"

Juleios shook his head, his tone gentle but resolute. "Lord Cornelius, even with your generosity, Amendolara is not a wealthy city. Supporting 3,000 mercenaries is no small burden. When our contract ends, we would still have to leave."

Cornelius’s eyes lit with sudden determination. "Then don’t leave. Stay! Become citizens of Amendolara!"

The square of Amendolara, once a bustling hub of civic life, had been turned into a military camp by the Lucanians. Just last night, it was the site of the fiercest resistance to the mercenaries’ assault. By this afternoon, the blood had been scrubbed from the marble floor, though faint crimson streaks lingered as a grim reminder of the battle.

Now, the square was filled with the survivors of Amendolara—frail women, trembling elders, and wide-eyed children. Many leaned on mercenary soldiers or doctors for support, their emaciated frames evidence of prolonged hardship.

At the center of the square stood a wooden platform, where Cornelius and the remaining four prominent citizens of Amendolara addressed the crowd. As Cornelius looked out over the assembly, his heart ached. A year ago, Amendolara boasted 4,000 male citizens and a total population exceeding 10,000. Now, fewer than 1,000 remained—most of them weak and vulnerable.

Taking a deep breath, Cornelius began, his voice heavy with emotion. "Citizens of Amendolara, women, and children... I, Cornelius, a member of the Senate, have called you here today because we face an important decision that will determine the fate of our city.

"Over two hundred years ago, our ancestors left Sybaris to build this city. Beneath the watchful gaze of Mount Amendolara, we prospered in peace and abundance. But when the Lucanians invaded..." His voice broke, and he struggled to continue. Around him, the crowd sobbed quietly, the memories of loss still raw.

"My wife chose death over humiliation and took her life. My child succumbed to illness..." Cornelius’s voice trembled, his anguish mirrored in the faces of his listeners. "Each of you has suffered tragedies like mine.

"In two centuries, Amendolara faced war but once, and it nearly wiped us from history, as it did our mother city, Sybaris. In those dark days, we prayed to Zeus for salvation. And Zeus answered—he sent us saviors! The mercenaries from Ionia!"

Cornelius gestured to Juleios and the officers standing quietly nearby, dressed in plain clothes. "These warriors defeated the ferocious Lucanians and freed us from torment. They cared for us as if we were their own family."

The crowd murmured in agreement, particularly the women, whose gratitude for the mercenaries was evident.

"But now," Cornelius said, his voice rising, "they are preparing to leave us. They will return to Magna Graecia, leaving Amendolara vulnerable once more!"

Panic rippled through the crowd.

"If they leave, who will protect us? Turii?" Cornelius asked bitterly.

"Never!" someone shouted, and the square erupted with jeers and curses against Turii.

"Selfish Turii must never set foot in Amendolara again!"

Amid the clamor, Cornelius raised his hands to quiet the crowd. "This painful lesson has taught us that only we can defend our homeland. But Amendolara is weak. What should we do?"

He let the question hang in the air, the weight of it sinking into the hearts of the listeners.

"As a member of the Senate, I propose this: let us convene a citizens’ assembly to decide the future of Amendolara. Every Amendolaran, regardless of age or gender, will vote on this matter. Let us all have a voice in our destiny!"

Excitement rippled through the crowd. The prospect of participating in such a monumental decision galvanized even the weary. Women, in particular, buzzed with enthusiasm—many would be voting for the first time in their lives.

Archita, standing beside Juleios, leaned over and whispered, "I never expected Cornelius to take such a bold step. Allowing women to vote on such matters is unheard of in our city-states!"

Juleios smiled knowingly. "Emotions often guide those who seek protection. The women of Amendolara know who saved them. Their votes are certain."

Cornelius raised his voice again. "If we all agree, I propose a second motion: to welcome our saviors—the mercenaries who freed Amendolara—as full citizens of our city. With their strength and skill, we will rebuild Amendolara and ensure its safety for generations to come!"

The crowd erupted in debate. Granting citizenship to over 3,000 people was unprecedented and controversial. Yet, amid the murmurs of doubt, a woman raised her arm and shouted, "Agree!"

Others joined her, their voices rising in unison.

"Agree!"

"Agree!"

As the cries of support swelled, Juleios watched silently, his heart steady. Amendolara was no longer just a place he had liberated—it was a place he would now call home.