Chapter 110
Hearing this, the new citizens no longer complained. Their eyes lit up, and they all said that they would take the lead in obeying the new military law!
Sesta and Adrianx had heard that the Devers Mercenary Army had a military law with many clauses. The soldiers' strong execution was closely related to the strict requirements of the military law. At that time, they were very curious. A small mercenary army had specially created a different military law for themselves. Now, they finally had the chance to experience it for themselves!
For the old citizens like Cornelus, they had only seen the ferocity of the mercenary army once in front of the temple. They had only heard of the annihilation of the Lucania Alliance Army and the destruction of the city of Amendolara. Amendolara had fought many wars with the Turís in the past. Of course, there were some conventional military rules in the city to ensure the smooth operation of military operations. However, it was the first time they had heard of a complete military law.
So, Cornelus reminded them, "I hope that the military training will not affect the daily work of the citizens."
"I believe that Felicius will coordinate the relationship between the two." The Devers had full trust in Felicius. Then, he smiled and said to the team leaders, "Military Officer Felicius will definitely need some subordinates like instructors. You can discuss it with him."
As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of people swarmed over, fighting to recommend themselves, and Felicius was tired of dealing with them.
Although these officers were not good at literacy and arithmetic, marching and fighting were their profession. As the new citizens of Amendolara, they also had a strong desire to show their abilities to the people.
"It seems that they are also eager to contribute to the city!" The Devers lamented.
Cornelus nodded on the surface, but in his heart, he thought, These new citizens who are used to fighting on the battlefield are really restless. I hope they can abide by the laws of the city!
"These are the main public duties of the city for now." The Devers' words made Cornelus heave a sigh of relief. Every new position proposed by the new Consul was a blow to the traditions of Amendolara, making Cornelus feel conflicted.
"Now, there is a very important matter that requires all the elders and officers of the Senate to solve." The solemn expression of the Devers made Cornelus nervous again.
"That is the issue of resettlement and land distribution for us new citizens." As soon as he said this, the officers immediately stopped pestering Felicius. Everyone widened their eyes and looked at the Devers in front of them.
"In order to maintain the harmony and stability of the city, in order not to disturb the people who have just been liberated from the Lucanian captivity, we, the honorable new citizens, are still volunteering to pitch our tents and live in the square (actually, it is a strict request from the Devers). But this is not a long-term solution, and it is unreasonable! After all, the new citizens fought and bathed in blood to protect this land. Many of their comrades died on the battlefield in exchange for the peace that Amendola has today! " At this point, the Devers were a little emotional. "We must help them settle down as soon as possible and allocate them the land they deserve. Only then can we repay them for their efforts and the rights they deserve as citizens! Otherwise, if we continue to delay, it will be hard to guarantee that no problems will arise! "
Devers's words made the new citizens excited, while the old citizens looked solemn.
"Now, how many widows are there in Amendola who have lost their husbands?" the Devers asked Cornelus.
"I'm afraid there are more than a thousand. We will only know the exact number after we count them," Cornelus said and looked at Raphael.
The new Registrar Officer Raphael immediately said, "When the meeting is over, I will immediately count them."
"Then tomorrow morning, please summon them to the square. Officers, gather the unmarried soldiers in the square. Both parties will meet each other without the arrangement of the elders or coercion by force. Men and women will be willing to marry based on their own ability and charm. Also, I suggest that all the unmarried girls in Amendolar come to the square to participate in this meeting. " After the Devers finished speaking, Cornelus and the other old citizens were still fine. On the way here, the Devers had confided in them about this idea and finally convinced them.
The new citizens were in an uproar. Apart from a very small number of mercenaries who were married, and a small number who had kidnapped local women in Persia and forced them to be their wives, more than two thousand of them were still single. Under the leadership of the Devers, not only did these mercenaries become citizens of the city, but they also solved the problem of their singleness. This was great news! Because these women with the status of the city were not free citizens, nor were they bought concubines. By marrying them, they would also obtain the land and wealth left by their ex-husbands.
"Great! There's hope for my brothers now! "
"Martonis, don't be too happy. If your subordinates are like you, it will be a little difficult for them to find a wife! If you want a woman to fancy you, you can't just rely on being strong! "
"Isn't it good to be strong? At least you can give them stronger protection and more farm work. I think that's what they need the most now! And Olivers, if you dare to go to the square tomorrow, don't be afraid that the Persia girl will ignore you. "
"Hieronymus, you blockhead, this time you have to talk to a woman more. This not only concerns your happiness, but also set a good example for your subordinates! "
"Giogris, why aren't you talking? Don't be nervous. When you go to the square tomorrow, you can do whatever you want. Aphrodite will definitely arrange a woman for you! "
"Captain Hilos, don't just worry about me. You should solve your own marriage first!"
…
The Devers smiled as he watched his subordinates talk excitedly to each other.
Cornelus and the other old citizens were a little helpless. Originally, women who were citizens of the Greek city were very traditional. They rarely showed their faces in public and could not meet with strange men alone. Their marriage was arranged by their parents. The husband was either a citizen of the city or a citizen of a neighboring city. After marriage, she would be controlled by her husband. Her responsibility was to give birth and take care of the house. If the husband died early, it would be fine if he had children. The property would be under the children's name. She could manage the children, raise them, and be controlled by the children in the future. If there were no children, the husband's family would have a reason to kick her out and force her to remarry.
Originally, Amendola had about four thousand citizens. Now, there were less than five hundred of them. They lacked the strength to defend the city and the labor force to support so many women, children, and elderly. This was the main reason why Cornelus and the others agreed to accept the mercenaries as citizens of the city. Of course, there was also the factor of gratitude. Similarly, they had no choice but to let the women break the tradition of the Greek city and openly hold such a large-scale meeting between men and women. After all, it was best to settle down these soldiers who were full of murderous auras and assimilate into Amendolara as soon as possible to become true citizens of Amendolara.
"At the same time, I have to remind you. When you marry the woman you choose, you have to treat her children as your own and raise them well. The elderly in her family, you have to treat them as your own and take good care of them. Also … hmm … I hope you don't blame them for the humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Lucanians because it wasn't their fault! It was the men of Amendola who didn't fulfill their responsibility to protect them! We are true warriors of Greece. What we have to do is to protect them and not let them suffer such humiliation again! Then, we will prepare carefully until the day we enter Lucaria and let the natives have a taste of the power of the men of Amendola! "The Devers said solemnly.
"That's right, leader!"
"Kill the Lucanians!"
"Don't worry, we will take good care of the women, the elderly, and the children!"
…
The new citizens clamored and made promises.
The old citizens, on the other hand, felt that every word the Devers said was like a whip that slapped their faces.
"After tomorrow's meeting, after every couple is confirmed, I suggest that we pick a good day to hold a grand mass wedding. All the couples who have confirmed their relationships, including those who were robbed in Persia, including me, will have their weddings held together!"
The hall immediately became lively again.
"Leader Devers, you finally decided to marry Kristoya!"
"I'm so envious. Kristoya is such a good woman!"
…
The Devers ignored the uproar and asked Cornelus, "Do we have a priest of Hera?"
"No, Mendolara worships Zeus. The nearest and most famous temple of Hera is in Metapontum. "
"Send someone to Metapontum and invite Hera's priest to preside over this grand wedding and bless the newlyweds!
Although Hera was the protector of marriage, the traditional marriage ceremonies of the Greek city-states didn't require the presence of Hera's priest, so Cornelus was puzzled.
The Devers looked at him and said, "Because this wedding means the new life of Amendola, I hope that Hera can bless the newlyweds who represent the future of Amendola! And I remember that the archons have the right to supervise the ceremony and make the festival. "
Cornelus wanted to say that it was the power that the archons had at the end of the era of kings. In the current era of democracy, the right to supervise the ceremony and make the festival belonged to the Senate.
Comments