Chapter 362 \nDavos’ words made everyone in the square ponder, causing them to began whispering with each other. Some intelligent people realise that the wise archon would not raise such a sensitive topic at this sensitive moment without reason, so they believe that he would announce something exciting.\nAs expected, Davos raised his tone and continued, “The Senate, as the highest authority in Theonia and the leader of the citizens, after this event, had immediately reviewed and reflected on itself. So after a repeated discussion and amendments, we had passed the 《Theonian Local Council Act》 this morning.”
The whole square stirred up.
“Be quiet! Be quiet!” Davos gestured and exclaimed, “Listen carefully. You can discuss it after I finish. Otherwise, you will miss the key point, and I won’t repeat it the second time.”
After another burst of laughter from the crowd, they all stare at Davos and raise their ears for fear that they will miss every word, making the square quiet.
“This act allows each city in Theonia Union to establish its own local council, with the citizens of each demo (this is an administrative unit that Theonia established, which is lower than the city and is formed by merging several villages) electing its own council through an election. The basic requirement is to elect one local statesman for every 300 citizens. First of all, they must be Theonian citizens, who have served in the military, have no tax evasion and criminal record, and have performed well. Then these elected members would form the local council of that city to assist the praetor in formulating local laws and regulations and supervising the work of the officials. The term of office of the local statesmen is two years, and the election would be held during the winter break. Moreover, after the autumn harvest every year, at the end of October, the local statesmen of each city will elect a delegation to attend the Senate’s assembly in Thurii. They would listen to the statesmen’s summary of the development of Theonia for that year, and to put forward their own opinions and participate in revising Theonia’s code of law and the formulation of the new law…”
As soon as Davos said this, the whole square began to boil: The Senate of Theonia finally gave ordinary citizens the right to participate in and discuss politics!
Tios and Dicaepolis looked at each other as they thought of the same thing. Davos had solved the problem that they were worried about yesterday, and those merchants who heard the news would probably give up their decision to leave Theonia…\nJust like the rest of the crowd, they were also excited.
However, they saw that Davos was still standing on the platform and shouting, “Be quiet! Be quiet! I am still not done yet!”
Through the shouting of dozens of soldiers repeating Davos’ words, the crowd who heard this immediately reminded each other, “The archon still has some else to say!…”
The crowd immediately suppressed their excitement and held their breath, hoping to hear more good news from Davos.
“Theonia Union is different from other city-states, with the Senate directly governing many cities and leading hundreds of thousands of people. But because of too many matters and having too large of a territory, the Senate can’t achieve comprehensive and strict supervision. That is why we couldn’t make sure that each official of the cities is fair and honest, allowing the likes of Pollux, Ariphes and the other criminals who embezzled the public property of the union to appear. But now, the situation would be much better with the help of the local councils’ governance and supervision, but-”
Davos changed his topic, “All Theonian citizens can be elected as local statesmen, including those who have served as officials of the union and those who have stepped down as statesmen and had then taken up public office in the city-state. But I am afraid that some problems would arise after some time had passed.”
After Davos stopped talking, some people in the crowd immediately asked with curiosity, “Milord, what would be the problems?!”\n“Aren’t you worried that the statesmen and officials would collude again for money and power?” This statement was like pouring a basin of cold water on the crowd, which made them ponder deeply.
“Lord Davos should not speculate about the future local councillors in such an attitude.” Raphias, who has been holding the position as Chief Census Officer, whispered his own opinion.
“No, I think it’s the opposite.” Justice Tritodemos, who had just arrived, retorted, “With lord Davos thinking up the worst possible thing that may occur, it allowed him to enact corresponding laws to protect them and prevent some people from becoming the second coming of Pollux. As what the Theonian Law wants to achieve is, to deter the population and make them obey the law, rather than catching more criminals.”
At this time, Davos said in a loud voice, “For this reason, I propose that the Senate would discuss and pass the Theonian Tribunus Plebis Act.”
Tribunus Plebis Act? The crowd were puzzled by this unfamiliar term.
Compared with the slow reaction of the crowd, the expression of the statesmen on the staircase changed. Even Kunogelata, who has always been calm, sighed helplessly, “Today is truly the day of victory for the civilians!”
“This is a good thing!” Cornelius said happily, “I have misunderstood lord Davos. I did not expect that he would make such a big concession once he made up his mind to let the citizens participate in politics!”
Marigi, who was listening to the comments of the statesmen around him, sneered in his heart.
\n“Long live, lord Davos!!!”
These two heartfelt cheers rumble over the square like the alternating waves in the sea until they rang out throughout the city.
‘A new era has come!’ Thought Davos as he stood still in the centre of the turbulent waves: The Senate with its legislative power, the parliament with its political power, the tribunal with its supervisory power, checking each other and creating a balance, which achieves the initial political structure he envisions. So, where is his position?
Davos looked at the sun that began to set, warm but not hot, eye-catching but not dazzling…
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Syracuse, the Theonian envoy headed by Ansitanos had been staying here for several days already.
“Teacher, I have made some inquiries.” Henipolis hurriedly went into the room and said angrily to Ansitanos, “The news about Dionysius returning long ago that we received before we arrived was indeed correct. And yesterday, some people had witnessed Dionysius go to the port to meet the second wave of Carthaginian envoys, yet he did not come to see us for five days. What does he mean by this?! As the envoy of Theonia, this is simply an insult to our Theonia Union! Teacher, let’s not wait any longer. Let’s go back to Thurii and tell the Senate of how Dionysius humiliated us!”