Published at 26th of February 2024 9:10 am

Chapter 882: Plans to handle the Samnites

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Crotokatax wasn't surprised by the question because while he followed Davos during this time, his father occasionally questioned him about dealing with government matters. Thus, he became accustomed to it as he was forced to constantly reflect on the battle reports and information.

When he walked towards the table, gazed at the map of Samnite and Campania, and began pondering, everyone in the tent remained quiet.

Tolmides felt emotional when he looked at Crotokatax, who had hunched over the table in deep thought.

During this period in Latium, he had to stay with Davos most of the time as he often had to help Davos deal with military matters, which also caused him to have longer contact with Crotokatax. During this time, he witnessed how this Theonian prince went from his initial enthusiasm and immaturity to gradually becoming steady and thoughtful. He also saw how the officials, strategoi, and soldiers looked at him with scepticism and then gradually recognised him. Despite being attributed to Davos' teaching, it was also linked to his talent and hard work.

From all indications, Crotokatax would probably be the next King of Theonia if nothing else unexpected happened! Thus, Tolmides began calculating how he should try to create conditions for his children to have more contact with Crotokatax in the future. At the start, he himself lacked the courage to follow Davos to come to Magna Graecia, coupled with his limited talent, so his current status is almost as far as he can reach. But for the next generation…

Just as Tolmides was lost in his thoughts, Crotokatax had already cleared his mind and said, “Father, my plan after we have thoroughly defeated the Samnite Tribal Alliance is…that we should incorporate all these Caudini towns in the eastern plains of Campania except for Nuceria, into Theonia. It will not only allow us to expand our territory but also protect our alliance(referring to the Campanian League) and deter the races in the mountains nearby.

But for these Samnite towns in the mountains, it is better to leave them to the Samnites to manage themselves. On the one hand, the Samnites are rebellious, and the tribes there have minimal contact with us. With their culture utterly different from ours, sending officials there to govern would be difficult and easily lead to conflicts. Moreover, it would just waste the energy and financial resources of the kingdom in vain. On the other hand, the land in the mountains is barren, the environment is poor, and the produce isn't abundant. Thus, not many Theonian citizens are willing to migrate to the Samnite mountains, making it difficult for us to assimilate the Samnite race in the mountains quickly.

Furthermore…the two Samnite tribes, Pentri and Caraceni, are situated alongside other tribes in the northern mountains. Forcefully annexing the territories of these two tribes might trigger heightened vigilance and animosity from neighbouring races, potentially resulting in unforeseeable consequences.

So, I think…we can just disband the Samnite Tribal Alliance and let these four major Samnite tribes become our affiliated allies. However, we must allow them also to retain the positions of the great chieftains of each major tribe to prevent their strength from being weakened too much so that they could still defend against their enemies in the north, which would reduce our trouble…”

Crotokatax spoke confidently. Before Davos could even respond, Tolmides praised, “Your Majesty, it seems Prince Crotokatax has considered everything carefully, as his suggestion makes a lot of sense!”

Henipolis winked at Tolmides without saying a word.

Davos, on the other hand, gave a pleased smile and said positively, “Croto, your proposal gave me an idea. We should indeed dissolve the Samnite Tribal Alliance. Since we couldn't completely annex the Samnite Mountains right now, it seems it is still necessary to retain their original political structure of several tribes and allow the existence of a great chieftain to help us have control over them…”

Crotokatax became excited at Davos' agreement with his suggestion.

“However-” Davos changed his tone and looked at him seriously, “You weren't meticulous enough when considering the issue, and your handling of the Samnite people is still rather sloppy. Since the situation of these four major tribes is different, we should deal with them differently.

As the largest tribe in Samnite and bordering the kingdom's territory the most, the Hirpini cannot be allowed too much autonomy, even though their territory is primarily in the mountains. Considering it's a rare and vast fertile lowland in the Samnite mountains, annexing Beneventum to the kingdom is imperative, and our kingdom's preparatory citizens and freemen would be willing to settle there. Moreover, its location is also crucial as it is right in the centre of the Hirpini and Caudini territories, next to Abellinum and Caudium. By having it, we will have the cornerstone to stabilise the southern part of the Samnite mountains.

In addition, Abellinum has remained friendly with us, made significant contributions in this war, and has even become a free city of the kingdom. Thus, we should reward them by allowing Garni to serve as the great chieftain of the Hirpini tribe to oversee all other Hirpini tribes and territories besides Beneventum, making it the second Potentia of the kingdom. We should also give them the strength to resist the Pentri and Caraceni in the northern mountains, ensuring the security of the northern part of the kingdom.

Caudini is quite a special tribe. Its territory is in the eastern plains of Campania, and the valleys' lowlands are suitable for our people to settle. You are right about incorporating the Caudini towns in the eastern Campanian plains into Theonia. However, your appetite needs to be bigger. Since we have already prepared to incorporate Beneventum into the kingdom's territory, then Caudium to the west of it, as well as the neighbouring small towns, should also be included in our plan because only in this way we can guarantee the link between Beneventum and the eastern plains of Campania, so that it will not be the only one outside of our territory.

You shouldn't forget about Nuceria, either. Their people have had dealings with the kingdom for over a decade, and since they eventually joined us on our side, it stands to reason that we should secure their territory. Even before the Samnite massive invasion of the Campanian League and the capture of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other city-states, Nuceria's location was more important. So far, even after Xanticles recaptured Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Campanian League hasn't asked us to return these two small cities. According to the report, the Campanian League suffered a lot of casualties in the war and didn't have enough manpower to develop these lands. My opinion is to send an envoy to negotiate with the Campanian League so that we could incorporate these two small cities into Theonia-”

Henipolis' eyes brightened up as he interjected, “This would allow Beneventum, Caudium, the former Caudini towns in the eastern plains of Campania, and Pompeii and Herculaneum to be connected to our city of Irna, but…Nuceria would become a hindrance…”

Davos said confidently, “We can negotiate with the Nucerians to allow them to migrate north of Capua, where there is the Volturno River and the land is more fertile. We could even allow them to have more territory than they have in Nuceria and, at the same time, support them to elect someone to become the great chieftain of Caudini and govern the Caudini tribes in the northernmost part of the original Caudini territory, adjacent to Sidicini, Aurunci and Pentri, which I am sure they would be willing to do. With that, it would allow us to take complete control of the lands in the central and southern parts of Caudini and link them to Irna, which would completely secure the protection of our newly occupied lands.

For the Pentri and Caraceni tribes, their tribal settlements and towns are in the mountain ranges north of Samnite, where the mountains are higher and the roads are more difficult to travel. I heard that the Caraceni tribe, in particular, have settlements in mountain ranges that are thousands of metres high, so their land is even more barren, and their population is small. Despite not needing to occupy their lands, we need the two of them to submit to the kingdom, and the chieftains of their tribes must offer their children and send them to Thurii as hostages. Furthermore, they would need our recognition first before their elected chieftains can take up their positions…”

After listening to Davos' plan for dealing with the Samnite Tribal Alliance and thinking carefully, Crotokatax said cheerfully, “Father, your plan is much better than mine! It is also true that you had meticulously considered it more than I did!…”

“That's because you are still too merciful to the Samnite tribe and don't think about things from the full standpoint of obtaining greater benefits for the kingdom and weakening our enemies to the greatest extent to render them powerless to rebel.” Davos hit the nail on the head.

“But father-” Crotokatax asked, “Although Hirpini and Caudini can accept your plan, Pentri and Caraceni may not necessarily agree with it.”

“Then keep fighting them until they accept it, and just leave this matter to Alexius and Xanticles. After all, with us already starting a war with the Samnite, we should take advantage of this war and settle the Samnite once and for all, even if it costs us more, to prevent them from rebelling again!” Davos admonished him in a serious tone.

Crotokatax nodded thoughtfully.

Davos turned around and said, “Heni, have you heard what I just said about our plan to handle the four major Samnite tribes?”

“We heard it clearly, Your Majesty.”

“Then write a letter to the Senate according to what I just said and let them pre-arrange the affairs of Samnites on that basis. Then write a letter to Alexius and Xanticles, each with the same intent, giving them a clear idea of how to adjust their subsequent strategy.”

“Understood, Your Majesty. I'll start writing now,” said Henipolis as he immediately took out a papyrus to write on.

Meanwhile, Crotokatax and Tolmides' thoughts were still pondering Davos' series of plans to deal with the Samnites and what impact it would have on them. With the command tent becoming quiet, they started to hear the rustling of writing.

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