Re: 3rd Legion - Roma's Bulls
Book 2 – Chapter 3 – A Second Attempt
240 – Summer to 236 – Summer – The Consulship of Pvblivs Cornelivs Lentvlvs Cavdinvs and Gaivs Licinivs Varvs
Brother,
I need not tell you of the events closely following our defeat at the hands of the Gauls, yet I must still keep this all written down for the sake of posterity, in addition to informing you of more recent events.
Well as you know, we returned back to the Italian heartland for some reinforcements. That is when I saw you last. That was about two years ago. Since then, much has changed.
As you may know, our nobles returned home and took up their swords instead of their spears. Our spears were simply not good enough to fight the Gauls. Unfortunately, I do not own a sword, and as such was simply stuck with my spear.
Well after leaving home we went to join our new commander. He was on the verge of 50 at this time, and had risen through the ranks. Unfortunately for us, he had very little idea of tactics. His name is Qvintvs Maelivs Fravcvs
He took us back north. “Surely… no… he couldn’t be that mad,” I thought. But I was wrong.
We were going back to fight the Gauls.
Early in 239 we moved out of our fort and approached the town. Unfortunately, some other Gauls had beaten us to them.
So we returned to our fort for most of the year. Eventually, we are lead to believe, the people of Segesta signed themselves over to the Aedui alliance. This still did not deter our new general.
So we laid siege. Due to their close proximity to the sea, they were capable of bringing in many supplies. Yet, still we persevered. Eventually, after two years, the enemy came out to fight us.
Many of the enemy had died of starvation, yet we still could not ignore the number of heavy cavalry and Gaesatae the enemy had.
So the enemy came out and approached our well-formed lines. This time we were on the right flank of the army this time. We were to use our spears to deter enemy cavalry.
We hurled our javelins as is customary, yet this time there was no pre-battle skirmish.
Fravcvs charged himself into a handful of enemy skirmisher cavalry to our right. They should have broken within seconds, yet they didn’t. He stayed there and had to kill them to the last man. By then though, they needed our help.
So we charged the enemy Gauls. This time we were determined to ensure that we beat them early.
Unfortunately, when we reached Fravcvs, so did Conan.
Fravcvs was capable of pulling out of the combat, but not without losing the vast majority of his bodyguards.
So Conan spurred himself forward to our unit. The enemy coming out of the fort ran towards us as well, following their leader’s example. Fravcvs ordered the Triarii to guard our flank and join in the combat.
Conan pulled out of the combat and charged in, time and time again. I was thankful for my spear. I am told that the nobles suffered at the hands of the Gaesatae on the other flank.
Still though, things started to go badly for us. Our spears could not stop us losing men. I was almost lost.
A large horseman approached me, looking straight at me and purring his horse onwards. He pulled his spear back and prepared to skewer me. His horse hit me, forcing me to drop my shield. I tried to use my spear, but the man next to me blocked me.
I was going to die.
But then one of Fravcvs’ bodyguards, a military tribune came forward and smashed into the horseman, knocking him away.
At this point Fravcvs pulled his men out of the combat again.
I will never forget that Tribune’s name - Spvrivs Cordivs.
So we continued to fight n against the infantry to our rear and front. Conan’s men went around our rear and were later killed by the Roman’s Equites.
I engaged with the standard bearer of one of the Gallic units.
I blocked a blow from the man next to him, yet he had his sword across his body and slashed across me. It knocked me straight over and I fell to the ground, my shoulder bleeding.
I later learnt that after a few more minutes of fighting, the cavalry were capable of killing the enemy general. This broke the morale of all the remaining enemy soldiers, except of course the Gaesatae, but most of them were dead by this time.
So we had avenged our previous defeat, and the settlement capitulated to us.
So now brother, I wonder where Fravcvs will lead us. I am determined to follow this man. Though I hate the Romans, I will always remember the danger he put himself into in order to save my life and that of my comrades.
Oh, and just so that you are aware my shoulder was just dislocated and cut. The surgeon popped it back into place and I should be ready to fight very soon.
Your brother,
Vibivs Postvmivs
Originally Posted by Leon Blum - For All Mankind
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