Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1158: The New Legion Commander Ctesus

Ctesus did not let Arsinis or the others carry out the punishment. He executed it himself, easily controlling the force and placement of his blows so Tepandes would feel the pain without suffering any damage to his bones or muscles.

After taking ten strikes from the rod, Tepandes did not dare groan too loudly. He rubbed his rear and obediently returned to the formation, joining his peers for their rapid march training.

A chaotic din of heavy footsteps and clashing armor rang out. Moments later, Arsinis took the lead, and the youths fell into a unified, rhythmic rendition of the March of the Battlefield, letting the hymn drown out the noise.

After fifty laps, the column had yet to break formation, but most of the youths were panting heavily. A few could barely remain standing.

Just as they thought they could finally catch their breath, Ctesus's stern voice snapped across the field. "Enemies have appeared one hundred meters ahead! Instantly break your column into detachment squares, march steadily for fifty meters, merge into a continuous line, and charge!"

A minor commotion rippled through the ranks at the command. A few muttered complaints under their breath.

Ctesus swept a severe gaze over the formation and scoffed. "What is the matter? You cannot handle this little bit of exercise? Let me tell you, when Legion Commander Amyntas led the First Legion in their first clash with the Romans in Volscian territory, the entire legion of eight thousand men—heavy infantry, light infantry, and peltasts—force-marched over ten li just to seize the tactical advantage, throwing themselves straight into battle the moment they arrived. The Romans were fierce fighters back then, but those exhausted soldiers of the First Legion still crushed them, securing our very first victory against Rome. Though, of course, the casualties were not small..."

A flash of sorrow crossed Ctesus's eyes before he hardened his tone. "You claim you want to become outstanding soldiers of the First Legion, yet you cannot even finish this trivial task. What right do you have to be formal soldiers? At this rate, you would be better off taking the kingdom's exams and becoming public servants."

The panting within the ranks ceased entirely. Every young man flushed red, glaring fiercely at Ctesus.

"Hoo-ah!" the youths roared in unison.

In the Kingdom of Daunia, the role of Military Training Officer was divided by rank. The Chief Military Training Officer of the Ministry of Military Affairs held the highest position, followed by the regional camp training officers, and finally the town-level training officers. Some cities, like Catana, were so massive that they required several training officers, each overseeing multiple demos districts.

They divided the roles so meticulously to guarantee that citizens of service age received ample training. The Kingdom of Daunia spanned a vast territory; during busy farming seasons, a regional military camp might only host drills once every seven or eight days, and merely gathering the citizen soldiers at the camp took a full day. Thus, everyday foundational training fell to the local Military Training Officers in the towns and demos districts. They seized every spare moment to subject the citizen soldiers to rigorous local drills—such as morning and night exercises—honing their combat prowess. This was a core reflection of how deeply Daunia valued its military.

These town and district officers were almost entirely retired legionnaires. Their pay was meager; they took the role out of loyalty to the kingdom and a lingering fondness for military life. Even after years of development, Amendolara remained a modest town of just over ten thousand residents, making Ctesus its sole Military Training Officer. He used to train several thousand men, but since the First Legion had been deployed to the Peloponnese, only these few hundred young citizens remained in the town.

Though today was merely a morning drill, they trained continuously for two solid hours. By the time the red sun breached the eastern horizon, scattering the mountain mist to cast its blazing light, Ctesus finally announced the end of the session. The youths collapsed to the ground in sheer exhaustion.

Shedding his earlier severity, Ctesus walked up to each youth to evaluate their performance. He offered mostly praise and even stopped to ask Tepandes with genuine concern if he was feeling unwell.

Despite Tepandes's repeated assurances that he was fine, Ctesus had the standby medic treat the boy's rod wounds. Only after every youth had safely departed did Ctesus mount his Bruttian Horse and take a leisurely ride down the gentle mountain path.

Along the way, he greeted and chatted with the familiar townsfolk of Amendolara. By the time he returned home, it was nearly noon. A servant immediately informed him that an important guest was waiting in the drawing room.

"Lord Alexis, how do you have the free time to visit me?" Ctesus asked in surprise as he stepped into the hall and spotted the Minister of Military Affairs.

Alexis did not answer right away. He studied Ctesus carefully, then offered a pleased smile. "It seems you have kept up your training since you retired."

Ctesus dropped into a wooden chair, paying no mind to Alexis's presence. He unfastened his breastplate and pulled off his helmet, which a servant immediately scurried over to take away.

Stretching his aching muscles, Ctesus said, "It cannot be helped. I am a Military Training Officer. If I want those little brats to listen, I have to lead by example sometimes."

"It seems you are quite good at the job," Alexis praised before his expression turned serious. "I have come today representing His Majesty and the Ministry of Military Affairs. We are asking you to step out of retirement and take command as the Legion Commander of the First Legion."

"Take command?" Ctesus stared in shock. "Is the First Legion Commander not Prosous?!" Although Ctesus had retired only a few years after Leotychides took command of the First Legion, he still believed the relatively young Legion Commander was highly capable.

Alexis sighed. He gave a brief explanation of the fact that Prosous was secretly a prince of Sparta, then spoke in an earnest tone. "I know you have always refused the position of Legion Commander, but these are extraordinary circumstances. The First Legion is stationed on the battlefield without a primary commanding officer. Combat could break out at any moment, risking heavy casualties. If we appoint anyone else as Legion Commander, we worry they will not have the time to familiarize themselves with the troops, build prestige, or earn the soldiers' trust, preventing them from drawing out the legion's full combat strength. I have thought it over, and you are the only suitable candidate. Are you willing to take up the mantle of Legion Commander at this critical juncture to help the First Legion through this crisis?"

"Fine. I will accept the appointment," Ctesus replied without hesitation. But he quickly emphasized, "This is strictly a temporary command. Once the war ends, I am returning to retirement."

"Not a problem," Alexis agreed with a nod.

"When do I depart?"

"You will have to wait a few days. The Ministry of Military Affairs is also preparing to deploy the Seventh Legion and the First Cavalry Legion to Messenia."

"Do we really need to send that many soldiers just to deal with Sparta?" Ctesus asked in confusion.

"It is His Majesty's decision," Alexis replied simply.

"Right, if Prosous resigned as the First Legion's commander and stepped down as the commanding general, who is taking over command of the expeditionary force?" Ctesus suddenly realized to ask.

Alexis hesitated for a moment. "Crotokatax."

"Who?" Ctesus blinked, then his eyes went wide as he realized who Alexis meant. "How can he be the supreme commander?! Even if he is His Majesty's eldest son, he has absolutely zero experience commanding an army in battle—"

"Staff Officer Plintors will serve as the temporary Staff Officer for this army, taking charge of military affairs," Alexis interrupted simply. In truth, the senior officials of the Ministry of Military Affairs did not approve of King Davos's appointment either. But the military fell directly under King Davos's jurisdiction, and with the king insisting on it, Alexis had no choice but to obey.

"Even with Lord Plintors assisting him, letting Prince Crotokatax take command is still too reckless..." Ctesus grumbled.

"This is His Majesty's personal command!" Alexis stressed heavily.

Ctesus fell silent.

"As a veteran general, you must do your utmost to support Prince Crotokatax when you go to the Peloponnese! This is also for the sake of the First Legion!" Alexis reminded him firmly. "Ride for Thurii tomorrow to meet with His Highness, and assist him with the military preparations for the expedition."

"Fine. I will do as you say," Ctesus agreed reluctantly.

...

The next day, Ctesus arrived at the Thurii Military Camp. Crotokatax greeted him with a grand reception and treated him with the utmost respect. It was an unexpected gesture that immediately won the old veteran's favor.

Over the following days of organizing the expedition, Crotokatax eagerly sought out the advice of both Plintors and Ctesus. He also displayed a sharp familiarity with military administration, steadily chipping away at Ctesus's preconceptions regarding his lack of military experience.

A few days later, the Seventh Legion marched north and garrisoned within the Thurii Military Camp.

Several days after that, the Second Fleet arrived at the Port of Thurii from Lilybaeum. Amidst a grand farewell from King Davos and his ministers, Crotokatax led the Seventh Legion, the First Cavalry Legion, and various auxiliary forces—totaling over ten thousand men—onto the warships and set sail for the Peloponnese Peninsula.

In January of 370 BC (the twenty-fourth year of the Kingdom of Daunia), the Fleet reached the coast of Messenia.

At the makeshift docks, Crotokatax stepped off his ship to a magnificent welcome from the senior officers of the expeditionary force and the Messenian senators led by Tisias.

Unlike the others, Leotychides was clearly not a man who expressed his enthusiasm through words or grand gestures. Standing amidst the crowd, he appeared notably aloof. Had any other man been appointed as the new commander, seeing Leotychides at this moment might have made him assume that Leotychides was furious about being relieved of his command!