Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1199: Rebuilding Sparta (2)

The moment Crotokatax finished speaking, the assembly erupted in an uproar. With a surge of excitement, both the perioikoi and the helots realized the Theonians hadn't lied to them. They were truly preparing to honor the promises their messengers had made when coaxing them to Sparta.

One of the perioikoi representatives eagerly shot to his feet, shouting over the din, "What do you need us perioikoi to do?"

"Are you going to divide the Spartans' land among us?! And let us move into the City of Sparta?!" another perioikoi representative immediately asked.

"Will you let us replace the Spartans and elect our own king to govern Laconia?"

"What age are we living in? You still want a king to rule us?"

"Isn't Daionia, the nation that saved us, a kingdom?!"

...

Compared to the fiercely debating perioikoi, the helots remained cautious despite their excitement. Finally, swayed by the fervent atmosphere, a helot representative stood up and asked hesitantly, "My lord, if you let us seize this land... the original owners will be furious. They will exact a brutal revenge! They still have many warriors out there, and plenty of allies. They'll form a new army and march right back here, and when that happens, we'll be—"

"Idiot! Coward!" The perioikoi representative who had spoken first pointed a finger at him, cursing loudly. "Let me tell you the truth. Earlier, I was conscripted by the Spartans to fight in Arcadia against the Daionian Army led by his lordship. Tens of thousands of Spartan troops were crushed with effortless ease. I only escaped the pursuit of those ferocious Daionian soldiers by fleeing deep into the mountains.

"When his lordship's messengers arrived, I was the first to answer the call. Having followed the Spartans into battle many times, I know perfectly well they have been utterly defeated. They no longer have enough young men left to fight the great Daionian Army, let alone recapture the city! I firmly believe you have the power to fulfill your promises, my lord. We perioikoi are more than willing to assist you in establishing a new city-state on the lands of Laconia.

"As for these helots... they are so accustomed to enslavement that their fear of the Spartans runs bone-deep. They don't even dare utter the name 'Spartan' out loud. They aren't fit to sit here with us. I say it's better to just let them remain slaves!"

His words finally ignited the fury of the helot representatives. Having caught a glimpse of freedom, how could they ever willingly accept enslavement again? This longing for a better future finally overpowered their inner fear. One after another, they began to bitterly curse the Spartans for their long history of oppression and persecution, condemning the perioikoi as their accomplices. Afterward, they humbly declared their willingness to obey Crotokatax's commands and do everything in their power to complete any task he assigned.

The venue descended into chaotic noise, but Crotokatax was pleased; the enthusiasm of both the perioikoi and the helots had successfully been roused.

He coughed heavily a few times before raising his voice. "Everyone, quiet down! Listen to me first!"

The crowd didn't immediately cease their clamor, only obediently falling silent when the soldiers maintaining order in the assembly intervened.

Crotokatax turned his gaze toward the perioikoi representative who had just done him such a massive favor, asking with genuine interest, "What is your name?"

"Phornidas!" the man answered loudly, puffing out his chest.

Crotokatax nodded. Sweeping his gaze across the rest of the assembly, he took a deep breath and declared loudly, "As the conqueror of this land, I represent the Kingdom of Daionia, and in the sacred name of Hades, I declare to you all—from this day forward, whether perioikoi or helot, you shall be granted freedom! You will become citizens of New Sparta, possessing all the rights bestowed by the city-state!

"I ask that you return immediately and inform your people: within four days, the perioikoi and the helots must each elect ten individuals of outstanding ability. Under Daionia's guidance, they will become the councilmen of New Sparta. They will draft and enact new laws, redistribute the land among the citizens, and arrange new settlements and villages...

"I also require the perioikoi and the helots to each elect two highly respected figures to serve as Ephors. They will oversee these new councilmen and watch for any corrupt or unjust behavior during the implementation of these plans. They will report directly to us, and we will carry out the necessary punishments."

Cheers erupted the moment Crotokatax stopped speaking. Many of the helots were even moved to tears, finally realizing the Daionian commander wasn't just offering empty platitudes. He was genuinely preparing to give those who had suffered a lifetime of Spartan slavery their freedom, elevating them to citizens with their own land and rights. The terrifying days of hiding from the hunts of young Spartan Warriors were gone forever.

While the perioikoi eagerly discussed potential council candidates and the helots gratefully praised Daionia's mercy, Crotokatax spoke up again. "Quiet down, everyone. I have more to say!"

This time, the assembly quieted almost instantly.

"I must remind you of one thing!" Crotokatax said, his expression completely serious. "As I just stated, both the helots and the perioikoi must elect exactly ten councilmen and two Ephors within four days. Neither more nor less. Any deviation will be viewed as a sign of disrespect toward Daionia's ruling, and that faction will be disqualified from participating in the formation of New Sparta's government!"

Hearing this, the previously ecstatic crowd was dumbfounded.

The helots were in a slightly better position. Although most had fled into the mountains, they were relatively clustered together and located fairly close to the City of Sparta. Since they were already coming down from the mountains one after another, completing the task within four days was entirely doable.

But the perioikoi were different. They had their own villages—quite a few of them—scattered across the remote corners of Laconia. From the Port of Ision near the western cape to Minoa by the eastern cape, and the coastal town of Prasiae in the east-central region... Not only were they separated by vast distances, but travel between them often required crossing treacherous mountain ranges. Within four days, the villages could only manage to elect their local candidates. If they pooled those numbers, there would be far too many, yet they wouldn't have the time to reconvene and whittle them down to a final list.

"My lord, could you grant us a few days of grace?" Phornidas pleaded with Crotokatax, going on to explain their difficulties. The other perioikoi representatives immediately chimed in to support him. Now it was the helots' turn to gloat from the sidelines.

Crotokatax, who had been quite accommodating up until now, hardened his expression. His tone was uncompromising as he said, "The Daionian Army has other important matters to attend to. We cannot stay here for too long. Forming a new Spartan government is a massive undertaking that determines the stability of all Laconia. There is an enormous amount of work to be done, and time is tight. Four days is generous enough; we will not give you any more time!"

Phornidas and the others felt a deep wave of disappointment and prepared to continue begging.

Seeing his chance, Crotokatax raised his voice over them. "I have a suggestion that will solve your problem! Return to your respective villages and inform all men over the age of eighteen to gather enough rations and head for the City of Sparta. We will assemble in the open-air venue where the Spartans once held their Ecclesia, and you will collectively elect your candidates. This will be both fair and efficient. If you choose this path, I will lend you horses so you can hurry back as quickly as possible.

"And you helots, you may also adopt this method. Electing the men who will govern Laconia in the very same venue where the Spartans used to dictate the city-state's affairs—doesn't that perfectly symbolize that you are now the new masters of this land!"

Crotokatax's words were instantly met with a positive response from the helots, who unhesitatingly agreed to carry out this excellent-sounding plan.

The perioikoi representatives were a little hesitant, but swept up by the helots' enthusiasm, they eventually voiced their agreement as well. After all, this noble, amiable Daionian prince had patiently laid out a series of practical, actionable plans for governing Laconia. It was impossible that he was secretly harboring some sinister scheme to wipe out the perioikoi in one fell swoop.

Once the decision was made, the crowd was itching to leave and rush back to inform their people.

Only Phornidas couldn't help but pause to ask, "My lord, what will you do with the Spartans?"

Phornidas's question caused the eager crowd to immediately freeze in their tracks.

Unhurriedly, Crotokatax answered, "If the Spartans agree to the plans I just outlined, then they will be citizens of this new Spartan government, just like you. They will govern this new state alongside you. But if they refuse—"

Crotokatax heavily emphasized his next words. "Then they will spend the rest of their lives in the state slave camps of the Kingdom of Daionia! Rest assured, even if they end up living here with you in the future, they will pose no threat to you. Among our Spartan captives, there are fewer than 400 young men. Even if more scattered troops trickle back, they won't exceed 500. Meanwhile, the combined population of your two peoples is more than ten times theirs. Not to mention, our army is stationed right here. You have absolutely nothing to worry about!"