Gaius landed in Epirus and swiftly made his way through Macedonia to his rresidences at Thessalonica. The ancient seat of the Macedonian Kings, and that of Alexander. The city was more alive than sleepy Syracuse ever was, more cosmopolitan. He attended lavish dinner parties, theatre performances, and visited many temples. After some weeks of getting his fill in Macedon he travelled to the countryside and down the peninsula to Graecia proper. He would visit Athens, Sparta, and Corinth, even though the latter city was still somewhat recovering from their sacking just decades before. Gaius was showered with gifts from locals looking for favors, most of which he granted. He was more brazen in his touristic pilfering. Greek art and statues were flowing back to Rome at a high rate.
Yet it was not all thievery that went on while Gaius was in the province. While in Athens he was invited to participate in the Eseusinian Mysteries. Additionally, he established more regional courts within Achea and Macedon, borrowing that which he had established in Sicily. Finally, he extended tax exempt status to a number of cities for varying periods of the year in order to gain their favor, including colonies of veterans.
Capo
Macedonia et Graecia
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