>if he had been more confident, he could have taken back Sounis with just his Father's men?
I think that both Eugenides and Eddis realized that Sophos was potentially capable of retaking Sounis without relying on forces from Attolia and Eddis. The other option isn't explicit at all, that perhaps Sophos could have (through manipulation and brilliant tactics that he lacked the confidence to attempt) with his father's men allowed him to gain control of his country, though it probably would have taken much longer. Gen and Eddis rather reluctantly take advantage of Sophos's situation to save Eddis, as well as unify Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis in what they perceive is the best possible position against the Mede.
What seems to complicate Sophos' decision, along with his personal feelings for Gen and Eddis, is that he knows he can't afford to have Sounis fight against Attolia and deal with a civil war at the same time. He figures ending the war against Attolia is easier because of his friendship with Gen, but it's not as easy as he believes it to be politically. If Sophos had opted to end the internal conflict in Sounis and believed that he had been capable of doing so, he wouldn't have needed to turn to Attolia and Eddis for support.
But Attolia undermines Sophos's confidence and the faith he could have in his own forces and his right to the throne. Sophos doesn't have the confidence to see that option, so he only sees two: either he can be like Eddis (have faith in his supporters, like his father and the Magus, and use persuasion and idealism) or be like Attolia (fight against his barons for the throne, even at the cost of bloodshed). When appealing to the barons peacefully doesn't work, Sophos reluctantly turns to bloodshed like Attolia had to.
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Date: 1/15/11 12:57 am (UTC)I think that both Eugenides and Eddis realized that Sophos was potentially capable of retaking Sounis without relying on forces from Attolia and Eddis. The other option isn't explicit at all, that perhaps Sophos could have (through manipulation and brilliant tactics that he lacked the confidence to attempt) with his father's men allowed him to gain control of his country, though it probably would have taken much longer. Gen and Eddis rather reluctantly take advantage of Sophos's situation to save Eddis, as well as unify Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis in what they perceive is the best possible position against the Mede.
What seems to complicate Sophos' decision, along with his personal feelings for Gen and Eddis, is that he knows he can't afford to have Sounis fight against Attolia and deal with a civil war at the same time. He figures ending the war against Attolia is easier because of his friendship with Gen, but it's not as easy as he believes it to be politically. If Sophos had opted to end the internal conflict in Sounis and believed that he had been capable of doing so, he wouldn't have needed to turn to Attolia and Eddis for support.
But Attolia undermines Sophos's confidence and the faith he could have in his own forces and his right to the throne. Sophos doesn't have the confidence to see that option, so he only sees two: either he can be like Eddis (have faith in his supporters, like his father and the Magus, and use persuasion and idealism) or be like Attolia (fight against his barons for the throne, even at the cost of bloodshed). When appealing to the barons peacefully doesn't work, Sophos reluctantly turns to bloodshed like Attolia had to.