The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe-Chapter 17 - Juleios Vigilance

As Juleios surveyed the camp bustling with activity, his thoughts remained vigilant. A Persian envoy had arrived, carrying promises cloaked in diplomacy. It was none other than Tissaphernes, the satrap of Asia Minor, a man whose reputation preceded him among the Greek leaders. His message was straightforward: he would convey the Greeks' desire for peace and their intention to return home to the Persian King. The leaders, worn by conflict, welcomed him warmly.

Two tense days passed before Tissaphernes returned with news. The Persian King had accepted their apology, despite objections from his ministers. Tissaphernes announced his assignment to escort the Greek mercenaries back to their homeland, with the added assurance of markets along the way to supply their needs. The caveat: the Greeks must maintain order, refraining from looting or destruction. Desperate for resolution, the leaders quickly agreed, swearing oaths to their gods to uphold the terms.

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When Tissaphernes departed, the camp erupted in cheers. Relief swept through the ranks like a fresh breeze. Yet, amidst the jubilation, Juleios remained stoic, his mind weighed down by mistrust.

Juleios's unease stemmed from long discussions with Xenophon, who had shared insights into Persia and its enigmatic satrap. Just a day earlier, Xenophon had visited Juleios, eager to debate the merits of democracy again. But Juleios skillfully redirected the conversation, guiding it toward the customs and politics of Greek city-states. Xenophon, a loquacious man, revealed much as Juleios listened attentively. When Juleios brought up Tissaphernes, Xenophon recounted tales from Proxenus that painted the satrap as a master manipulator—and a dangerous one at that.

During the Peloponnesian War, Tissaphernes had initially allied with Sparta to undermine Athens and regain Persian influence over Ionian city-states. Promising gold for Sparta's naval ambitions, he later reneged, prompting complaints to King Cyrus II. In response, the King replaced Tissaphernes with his son, Darius the Younger, as commander of the western Persian forces. The satrap's influence waned, but he remained a political survivor, befriending Darius while secretly plotting his downfall.

When Artaxerxes II ascended the throne, Tissaphernes accused Darius of rebellion during the coronation. Though the prince was released after Queen Parysatis's intervention, Tissaphernes's treachery earned him powerful enemies. At the Battle of Cunaxa, the satrap led Persian cavalry in a bold maneuver to flank the Greek phalanx. Though his efforts failed, his loyalty to the King was rewarded. Now, as the envoy tasked with negotiating peace, Tissaphernes wielded both cunning and power.

Juleios concluded that such a man could not be trusted. When he voiced his concerns, Xenophon responded with a sigh. "Proxenus and the others know who they're dealing with," he said. "But we're out of options. If we don't pursue peace, we may never see Greece again. Supplies are dwindling, Juleios."

Xenophon's tone betrayed his own doubts. The Greeks were in a precarious position, forced to grasp at the satrap's poisoned olive branch.

In the days that followed, Juleios focused on his field hospital, a refuge of order amid the chaos. Of the twelve injured soldiers under his care, seven showed marked improvement under his meticulous treatment. Juleios also honed his own skills, training with his comrades and seeking advice from light infantry soldiers about the use of long-handled reverse-edged blades. He frequently visited Antonio to study hoplite formations and battlefield command, deepening their camaraderie.

Thanks to Asistes's recovery and Menon's failed attempt to assert control, Juleios gained further respect within the camp. His experiments with crafting puttees from linen procured from Melcys garnered admiration, as did his humility and eagerness to learn. Slowly but surely, he earned the moniker "Favored of Hades," a testament to his growing reputation.

Still, the absence of the Persians gnawed at the camp's morale. Days stretched into weeks, and doubt began to fester. Soldiers grew restless, their hope for peace eroded by silence. Juleios, however, remained focused. He immersed himself in daily tasks, sharpening his skills and distracting himself from the uncertainty looming over them all.

After more than twenty days of waiting, Tissaphernes returned, flanked by Orontes, the satrap of Armenia, and their armies. The Greeks, eager to begin their journey, prepared to march. But cracks in the fragile alliance became evident. Ariaeus, once an ally to the Greeks, had shifted his allegiance. His forces now marched and camped with the Persians, their camaraderie with the Greeks replaced by distance. Persian officials had visited Ariaeus's camp frequently during the interim, persuading him and his officers with promises of pardon.

The Greeks, wary of betrayal, maintained their distance. They traveled behind the Persian forces and set up camps ten miles apart, posting sentries as though guarding against enemies. Tissaphernes honored his promise to provide markets, but the Greeks paid a steep price for their supplies, reinforcing their mistrust.

Menon's frustrations, simmering beneath the surface, manifested in petty acts of defiance. He reduced rations for Hilos's unit, an attempt to undermine Juleios. But Melcys intervened. Once reluctant to part with two Egyptian slaves for the field hospital, Melcys had since become an ardent supporter. Addicted to the Chinese-style massages introduced by Juleios' trained slaves, Melcys visited daily, shamelessly claiming it was compensation for their cost. Now, he even hoped Juleios would teach his techniques to workers he planned to employ in Greece, dreaming of a thriving brothel business.

With Melcys' backing, Juleios's influence grew. Soldiers admired his ability to balance practicality with compassion, his reputation as a healer spreading through the camp. Though tensions between the Greeks and Persians lingered, Juleios found himself at the center of a supportive community, prepared for whatever lay ahead.

As the march continued, Juleios could not shake the sense that they were navigating a labyrinth of deception, each step fraught with peril. Yet he resolved to face the uncertainty with resolve, sharpening his skills and readying himself for the trials to come. The path to Greece was still shrouded in doubt, but Juleios knew that survival depended on vigilance, resilience, and unwavering determination.